By Joe Gibbons

ATHERTON Collieries and Daisy Hill go head-to-head tonight in what is a highly-anticipated fixture in the North West Counties League First Division calendar.

Not only are both sides competing at the top of the table, but it is the only league match to be organised for a Friday night, meaning a bumper crowd is expected at Alder House.

Collieries currently boast one of the best records in English football having won their eight league matches conceding only two goals in the process.

This has been recognised by the league who have awarded the Club of the Month award to Colls once again, whilst striker Mark Battersby and goalkeeper Danny Taberner have also scooped the division’s individual awards making it a clean sweep for Michael Clegg’s side.

Daisy Hill, meanwhile, have enjoyed their best start to a league campaign for more than 30 years and find themselves in fourth.

No prizes have been awarded to them, but fans around the league have praised Craig Thomas’s side for the hard work and effort they have put in over the summer to build a strong side.

Daisy have been boosted this week with the arrival of Craig Farnworth from Premier Division side 1874 Northwich.

If Collieries can win a ninth consecutive league match, they will go back to top spot which is currently occupied by Cammell Laird.

If Daisy Hill claim the three points, they will draw level with Lairds and third-placed Hanley Town who host Atherton LR tomorrow.

Fifth-placed Rovers go into the match on the back of a 2-1 win over Rochdale Town on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Kieran Halliwell and Thomas Booth.

Rovers travel to Hanley, hoping for three points which could put them into fourth ahead of Daisy Hill if they do lose to Collieries.

Daisy Hill are in action again on Monday at home to Cheadle Town, while on Tuesday night, Collieries travel to Irlam and LR have the long journey to Holker Old Boys.