New Avenue manager Phil Sharpe has appealed to fans to give him a chance after his first three Northern Premier League games ended in defeat.

He was barracked at Ashton last Monday following the 3-0 defeat but he had to put out a weakened side and tomorrow he is expected to make wholesale changes.

Sharpe has made four new signings this week and is trying to add another two in time to play against Runcorn FC Halton at Horsfall Stadium tomorrow.

In come Bridlington Town captain and centre half Ley Harper and central midfielder Martin Thacker, also from Bridlington; midfielder Phil Rowlands from Hucknall Town and former Bury, Accrington and Guiseley striker Lutel James.

Sharpe is also trying to sign left winger Andy Lee from Worksop and left back Karl Rose from Hucknall Town. Goalkeeper John Lamb has returned from Leigh RMI.

Avenue will not have a better chance of ending the worst run of games in their history when they take on faltering Runcorn FC Halton.

Having not won a Northern Premier League game since the end of last October, Avenue face a side below them who have lost their best players due to severe financial problems. On Wednesday, Runcorn lost 4-0 at home to Witton Albion so surely Avenue must now get three points on the board.

There was a further piece of good news for the club. Gateshead, next Wednesday's visitors to Horsfall who are a place above Avenue, also lost.

Sharpe said: "Lutel played for the reserves on Wednesday and could have scored four in the first few minutes - he is very experienced.

"Clive Freeman and myself have been busy for two weeks. Fans were giving us stick after Monday but I knew this squad needed strengthening.

"I understand the fans' frustrations but it would be nice to be judged on my own players."

Bradford Park Avenue (from): Lamb, Smith, Newton, Walsh, Jarvis, Jones, Benn, Calcutt, Greaves, Flynn, Oleksewycz, Haworth, Benn, Ross, Robinson, Harper, Thacker, Rowlands, James.