ALBION Sports' best XI would be a match for anyone in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division, according to manager Kulwinder Sandhu.

The Sports’ boss points to recent results and the stats from those games certainly back up his claim. In their last eight league games, Albion have won six and lost two, those two coming when key men were missing.

Following Wednesday night’s 2-1 home victory over Athersley Recreation, which lifted Albion back up to seventh, Sandhu said: “We played well, as we always do when I’m able to pick my best players.”

The club’s leading goalscorer, Danny Facey, who is only one goal behind the league’s leading scorer – Tadcaster Albion’s Josh Greening – and Karl Hall have both missed recent games. Taddy are today's opponents for Albion.

Close season signings Matt Morgan and Matt Mathers have also had a stuttering start to life with Albion at Throstle Nest. Injuries, suspensions and unavailability have been a constant thorn in Sandhu’s side.

Sandhu said: “When Karl or Danny are out of the side we really miss them but then any club would. I think we have improved the squad with the signings we’ve made and they have settled in well.

“We needed a bigger squad to compete in the higher division and it’s difficult when you’re a small club still trying to establish yourselves.

“Matty James has come in and been great. He has scored two goals already. He scored an individual goal against Athersley, starting the run from inside our half, and Sam Bradley scored his first goal for the club the same night.”