LIVERSEDGE manager Jonathan Rimmington has praised red-hot attacking midfielder Alfie Raw, whose goal streak is keeping his side right in the promotion mix ahead of tomorrow’s game at struggling Knaresborough Town.

Sedge have 10 points from their last four Toolstation Northern Counties East League games, and Raw has netted six times in that spell. That goal return is a source of great delight for Rimmington, who has known the player for many years.

He said: “Alfie has just turned 21 and he’s learning massively in the game. He came from Huddersfield Town three years ago, but he used to play for my junior team when he was seven, before he went to Huddersfield a year after.

“He’s always getting into good positions, but now he seems to be relaxing more and scoring.

“I’m not sure why that’s changed, maybe because he’s got good players round him. I hope he can keep it going.”

Raw will fancy his chances against Knaresborough. They finished a respectable ninth last season following promotion, but are floundering down in 17th at the moment, despite an extraordinary 10-1 win over Handsworth last time out.

Asked about why he thinks they’re struggling, Rimmington said: “They’re an older team who were settled, but they brought in a few from Eccleshill over the summer and maybe it’s spoilt it (the dynamic) a bit.

“Some of their lads might suddenly think ‘what’s going on’ and ‘am I going to be in the team?’

“It’s probably not done them (Knaresborough) any favours, but because of age, maybe they felt they needed to do that.

“But they’re no mugs. They won at Ammers (Yorkshire Amateur), who are only a point below us in fifth, and they’re one of the only teams to beat us at home this season.

“We had an off day and their keeper was good but we got drawn into playing down their throat. They have two big strong lads at centre back in Will Lenehan and Gregg Anderson, so they want you to play long balls.

“We won’t do that again. We’ll try and play around them this time, as we’ve got some technically good footballers in our side.”

Saturday's local non-league fixtures

National League North: Bradford (Park Avenue) v Brackley Town, Curzon Ashton v Farsley Celtic, Guiseley v Gloucester City.

Northern Premier League North West: Brighouse v Ramsbottom United

Northern Counties East League - Premier Division: Albion Sports v Penistone Church, Eccleshill United v Athersley Recreation, Garforth Town v Silsden, Grimsby Borough v Thackley, Knaresborough Town v Liversedge. Division One: Campion v Hall Road Rangers.

North West Counties League - Division One: Steeton v Daisy Hill.