CROSFIELDS head coach Ian Boden has urged his side not to “fall in love with themselves” ahead of their National Conference League Division Two play-off campaign.

Soap welcome Saddleworth Rangers to Hood Lane in the semi-finals today, kick off 2.30pm, as they aim to put themselves one step closer to promotion.

They only just missed out going up to Division One automatically as they finished third, just three points behind second-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons.

Boden, who took over the head coaching role from Jimmy Williams in mid-season, says there is a big excitement around the squad but he has warned them not to get carried away.

He also stressed the importance of home advantage as they aim to give their followers “something to smile about.”

“I’m immensely proud of the way the lads have reacted to the change in coaching and the different things we have brought in,” he told the Guardian.

“I believe there a togetherness there now that a lot of teams don’t have.

“We’re a tight-knit club and that stems right from the youngsters through to the open age.

“There is excitement but if we put ourselves on a pedestal and fall in love with ourselves, games can get away from you.

“We’re working hard in training and look to improve week on week and take each game as it comes.

“We have one of the biggest pitches in the league and it suits the way we like to play.

“With a good local support we can hopefully give everyone something to smile about.”

After a spell in interim charge following the resignation of Jimmy Williams, Ian Boden was appointed as permant Crosfields head coach in May

Soap have won both games against Saddleworth this year, including in the last game they played – a 6-4 victory in torrid conditions away from home on September 8.

READ: How Crosfields survived three yellow cards to win at Saddleworth

They also beat the Rangers 30-16 at Hood Lane in May.

Another victory would see them face either Askam or Wigan St Judes for the final place in Division One for next season.

“Saddleworth are always a difficult team to play against, especially on their own pitch,” Boden said.

“I think the weather caused a low-scoring affair last time out and we will look to improve on that performance, but it will still be a tight affair.

“There’s not many teams that can cope with us on our day, and that’s showed when we went 10 games unbeaten.”

“Promotion from any division is always a special thing. Every player wants to be playing at the highest level they can.

“For this group of players to achieve promotion again after winning Division Three a couple of years ago would be a great achievement.”

Soap's last game was a trip to Saddleworth in their final regular-season game. Despite having three players sin-binned, they won 6-4 in torrid conditions