LIVERSEDGE face one of their toughest tests yet today in their NPL East Division title push, as they trek up to the North-East to play fifth-placed Stockton Town.

Jonathan Rimmington’s side only went up from the NCEL Premier Division at the end of last season, but they could be in line for a second successive promotion, sitting just a point behind leaders Marske United, with a game in hand, having scored 76 goals in 26 games and conceded a league-low 17 times.

The Sedge boss is remaining calm though, saying: “We’re taking it one day at a time and not getting too giddy.

“We’re getting good crowds, we’ve got good players, and it’s come together nicely for us as a club.”

Discussing the two-horse race for the title, with Sedge 14 points clear of third-placed Cleethorpes Town, Rimmington said: “Marske are a good side, and they were the best team last year.

“Their team are pretty much all 25 to 35 years old, so they’ve got experience, and they have players like Adam Boyes and Matty Tymon who should be at least a couple of divisions higher, which they were in the past.

“Marske have had a few years up at this level too, but we’ll keep pace with them.”

Despite his confidence, Rimmington knows Stockton will be a threat today.

He said: “It’s going to be a tough game. We played them a couple of seasons ago in a friendly and then in the FA Cup, and lost both times, but we did beat them 4-2 at home in the league in October.

“It’s also tough because they play on an artificial surface.

“But of the teams we’ve played so far, the only ones that really impressed me, other than Marske obviously, were Cleethorpes.

“We had a tough time beating them 4-2 over there, but then we smashed them 5-0 last week at our place.”

Promotion to the NPL East Division has given Sedge further to travel, with games as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Lincoln.

Campion have admitted that their sideways move from NCEL Division One to NWCFL First Division North this season has caused players to leave the club due to the subsequent geographical issues that were thrown up.

But as for Sedge, Rimmington said: “The extra travelling hasn’t really affected us.

“We had a good six or seven lads from South Yorkshire in our squad already, so they were used to going a fair distance just to come and play for us anyway.

“And to be honest, it can be a bit namby-pamby at Northern Counties level with players not wanting to travel far, but at this level you just get on with it.

“We’ve pretty much kept our team together and only made a few additions in the move up a level, though they’ve been important.

“Connor Smythe coming in from Worksop has really settled us down on the left-hand side and Lewis Whitham in attack, some of his play has been unreal for us.

“He’s destined for higher things, but we hope he stays here for now, and maybe even gets to a higher level with us.”

Brighouse Town are in NPL East Division action today too, and Sedge will hope for a favour from their neighbours, as they host Marske.

In the NCEL Premier Division, Albion are due to be at Barton Town, Eccleshill United are in line to host Winterton Rangers, while Silsden should be welcoming Penistone Church, but all three of those games are subject to morning pitch inspections.

As yet, there is no doubt surrounding Thackley's home game in that division with Sherwood Colliery.

In National League North, Guiseley are now second-bottom, just two points clear of the drop, and they face a vital game at Kettering Town, if the pitch is passed fit after an inspection.

Farsley Celtic are the side currently occupying bottom spot, and they will host Spennymoor Town.