New boss Jones eager to get off the mark with Eagles

The recently-appointed head coach has been frustrated by back-to-back Saturday postponements, so is champing at the bit.

The Eagles should have travelled to AFC Mansfield two weeks ago but their opponents were involved in an FA Vase tie, and last Saturday’s home game against league newcomers Penistone Church was called off after a deep frost left the playing surface at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium unfit.

Former manager Mark Tinker’s reign ended after a 9-0 victory over lowly Lincoln Moorlands but the club have not had the opportunity to build on that win, which was preceded by four defeats and two more postponements, meaning Eccleshill’s only victories in the last two months have both been against Lincoln.

Jones would make an instant impression if he masterminds a win over Ponte as that would mean his side leap-frog their eighth- placed hosts.

The home side are three points better off than their visitors but the Eagles boast a much better goal difference.

In fact, 11th-placed Eccleshill’s goal difference is the best outside the top three, and Jones is determined to get his side back into the promotion race.

Of the three local representatives in the top tier, Thackley have no fixture this weekend or next, while Albion Sports and Liversedge are both on the road on Saturday.

Albion are the highest placed of the area’s clubs, and boss Kulwinder Sandhu will be demanding nothing less than a win at struggling Armthorpe Welfare.

Their hosts are third from bottom but have a six-point cushion over the two clubs below them.

Liversedge are just four points better off than Armthorpe but they would improve on that scenario were they to win at Glasshoughton Welfare while Albion triumphed in Doncaster.

Sedge’s hosts are rock bottom and have played three more games than Nostell MW, who are the other club in the relegation zone.