RADCLIFFE Boro manager Kevin Glendon is hoping his side can make Christmas turkeys out of Ashton United's Robins in their Boxing Day derby clash at the Inn2gether Stadium (3pm).

Boro grabbed an impressive point at Gateshead on Saturday and face another struggling side in United on Monday.

And manager Glendon is happy with the way his charges are shaping up.

He enthused: "We worked really hard for it on Saturday on a difficult pitch.

"It was like an ice rink and we couldn't put any pressure on them because we couldn't pass the ball around.

"They put some pressure on us towards the end with some direct balls but we held on and are looking really solid at the moment.

"Apart from the Farsley fiasco, we have been superb in the last few weeks and we need to keep that run going.

"Ashton have a new manager and, for some reason, that always perks up sides so we know it will be a tough game."

In his letter to Santa, Glendon has asked for another striker to boost his wafer-thin squad.

The boss said: "Ideally, I would like three strikers at the club and we have one at the moment in Steve Foster and Andy Heald is helping out up there and doing a fantastic job.

"We have struggled to get strikers in all season and my latest offer for Liam Dickinson (Woodley Sports) fell through because Stockport County have offered him a trial.

"If we do find somebody who fits the bill, is willing to come and his club aren't charging silly money for him, I'm sure we could find the funds as a club to bring him in."

One striker who was on Boro's books at the beginning of the season is Ciaran Kilheeney but the 21-year-old left because he wasn't getting enough first-team football.

Killer', as he was known at Stainton Park, returns to Boro on Boxing Day with his new side Ashton and Glendon is keen to avoid the old boys curse'.

Glendon said: "I regret letting Ciaran go but he wanted more games and you have to respect that. He's a fantastic striker who did well for me and he will be fired up for the Boxing Day game."

The manager also had special words for Andy Johnston and Stephen Hill, who both came into the side for the weekend trip to the North East.

Glendon said: "Stephen was fantastic and he looked like he'd never been out of the side. He gives us good balance on the left and loves defending.

"He hasn't told me about any reaction so I'm confident he'll be fit for our next game.

"Andy came in for Danny Hurst can used all his experience to keep the scores blank. He plays, helps to coach Danny and also helps out with admin work. He is like a three-in-one person and invaluable to me."

On the internet, Boro are even money favourites to beat Ashton on Boxing Day. The draw is 5/2, with the odds on Ashton prevailing, 11/4.

* BORO face a tricky tie in the next round of this season's Unibond Challenge Cup. The draw pits Boro against Fleetwood, away, on Saturday January, 7 with a 3pm kick off.