Sedge hoping to bounce back in derby (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sedge hoping to bounce back in derby

12:09pm Thursday 6th March 2008 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Sedge missed out on reclaiming second place with a rare midweek defeat in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

But it will hardly affect their confidence going into Saturday's home match with derby rivals Eccleshill United.

Sedge lost 1-0 at fourth-placed Pickering Town but picked up no new injury concerns.

The best antidote to the recent poor form of United could be administered in the Bradford derby.

Liversedge are not Eccleshill's nearest neighbours - that would be Thackley - but it says a lot about the quantity of quality players in the area that Bradford is home to three Premier Division sides when Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield and the like do not have the same representation.

Eccleshill will hope that the unpredictability of the derby fixture will work in their favour this weekend.

They have been struggling while Sedge are riding high. Sedge lost away in midweek but Eccleshill also go into the game on the back of a defeat.

"It is a local derby, there is a lot of pride at stake and I hope that is the catalyst for the big performance we need to turn our recent fortunes, or should I say misfortunes, around," said Eagles manager Mick Watson.

"We are due a result, we are due a bit of luck if it comes at Clayborn we will be delighted but Steve (Newton, Sedge manager) will be galvanizing his troops after they lost on Tuesday.

"Nothing is given in this game - we know we have to work hard to get anything and we will.

"A bit of a break and decent performance is as much as we can hope for at the minute and that is not negative thinking.

"I will shake hands with Steve before the game and even wish him well but Eccleshill is my club and a victory is our target."