DESPITE subsequent bright afternoon sunshine Town's game at Knowsley Road on Saturday against Fleetwood was called off due to frost in certain areas of the pitch.

Unfortunately the low southerly arc of the winter sun fails to take it above Knowsley Road's enclosed rooftops and as a result the shaded areas remained frost bound.

A week off is not ideal preparation for perhaps the biggest game of the season when on Saturday, Town travel the short distance to Prescot to take on Cables in a local derby. With Tommy Lawson's men 'bombing along' to the NWCL title Town will have to be at their best to get anything but they have a fine record at Valerie Park and will be looking for more of the same.

The reverse fixture at Knowsley Road back in September saw Cables take the honours with three goals on the break in the final ten minutes (including two penalties) after Town had done reasonably well until then.

In a way, this was a microcosm of Town's season to date as performances have merited better results but it appears this season things simply aren't meant to be trophy wise but a position around the top six isn't too bad.

One player missing Saturday's derby showdown is regular keeper for three seasons, Phil Wood, who due to personal reasons has requested some time away from the game and is unlikely to feature any further this season.

His 'swansong' was Town's last outing when they fell to their first defeat in five matches when losing a terrific mid-week clash with Newcastle Town who won 4-3. Regrettably it was a goalkeeping howler which gave the potteries outfit a lead they never relinquished after coming from behind just after the break.

Earlier Ged Nolan had put town ahead from a corner kick but by the interval the scores were level and once Newcastle got in front they stayed there. Town put up a terrific fight with Cooper and Nolan adding to the tally and with a bit more luck could have won this, but Mason twice hit the post while Bowden missed a penalty kick.

Town now have the remainder of their fixtures to hand and excluding any re-arranged games they are set for an April 12 finish when troubled Flixton are Knowsley Roads final visitors.

In the meantime they are without a mid-week fixture next week but are due to visit old friends at Congleton Town on Saturday, March 1.

Travel arrangements will appear in next week's Star. This Saturday's derby kick off at Prescot is 3pm.