Leaders Farsley AFC could put more distance between themselves and fourth-placed Long Eaton United on Saturday when the Derbyshire outfit visit Throstle Nest in the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Farsley have played two more games than second and third-placed clubs Bridlington Town and Brighouse Town but the same number as Long Eaton.

The hosts will be looking for the three-point maximum that would see them hit the 20-point mark from nine starts.

Mark Brier’s BRIGHOUSE, with their two games in hand on Neil Parsley’s men, will be aiming to stay in Farsley’s wake. Town travel to Sheffield to take on Hallam, who have had a poor start to the season.

Hallam are a surprising 17th in the 20-strong division, having taken just four points from six starts. Town, in contrast, have dropped only five points from their possible 18 and are unbeaten in their last half-dozen games, which included a win at Farsley.

While their neighbours are flying high, Liversedge are struggling at the wrong end of the table as they currently reside second from bottom.

They have home advantage against Parkgate this weekend but will be wary of their opponents.

Sedge, under manager Stewart Waddington – who was appointed in the close season – have drawn their last three league games after losing their first three.

They also won through their first qualifying round tie in the FA Vase before suffering a replay defeat at Eccleshill United in the second qualifier in midweek.

Waddington is beginning to stamp his mark at the club and on the squad but they face a tough task to earn their first victory this weekend.

Their visitors are seventh and yet to be beaten, having won three and drawn one of their four league games so far.

ECCLESHILL will be looking to reclaim top spot in Division One on Saturday but to do so they must beat AFC Emley at the Smith-Butler Stadium.

Emley have had the better of the close rivalry between the clubs over the past two seasons but the Eagles are a different proposition this term and will be confident of seeing off their second-bottom opponents.

Eccleshill have prospered under former Bantam Ian Banks and although they are fifth at the moment, they have a game in hand on the three clubs immediately above them and two on leaders Handsworth, who they trail by only three points.

They will also be full of confidence after beating Premier Division neighbours Liversedge in an FA Vase replay in midweek.