Daisy Hill finish off this season’s campaign in the North West Counties League First Division North when they host Maghull at the Ginge Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Three wins and a draw in the last four games sees Daisy head into the game in good form, and with Maghull needing a point to confirm their place in the play-offs, manager Nicky Hunt is expecting a tough game against a side that has lost just once in their last seven outings.
“If I was Maghull’s manager, I’d bring my full-strength squad and I’d want to get a result against us to kick them on into the play-offs,” said Hunt.
“They might have it in the back of their heads that they won’t want to get any injuries or suspensions going into the play-offs, so that could mean they bring a few fringe players.
“But I’m not Maghull’s manager, I’m Daisy Hill’s manager, and we’re just going to try and get three points and end the season with an unbeaten run of five games.
“We’ve had four games in 10 days at the start of the month then a break, and the lads probably needed a bit of a rest, to be honest.
“I used a lot of players over that period, and a lot of players have played a lot of minutes, so hopefully they will come back refreshed and give everyone on the last day of the season something to cheer about.
“There will be goals, it’s not very often our games end 0-0, and it looks like it could well be a good game for the neutral.
“I’m just going to say to our lads, go out and play, and do your stuff.
“Maghull did a number on us in my second game in charge, albeit I’ve got a completely different team now, and we’ll be looking for a bit of revenge on that result.
“But the players can just go out and enjoy the day, and see where it takes them.”
One player looking to finish the season on a high is Daisy striker Liam Sheppard, who has won the League’s Player-of-the-Month award for March - the second time he has won that honour this season.
Sheppard needs one goal to reach 30 for the season, and Hunt paid tribute to the form his front man has shown.
“He’s scored nearly half of our goals in the league this season, and you always need a player of that calibre who can score goals like that,” said Hunt.
“Shep should get all the plaudits, because he’s had a terrific season.
“We know people will be looking at him, but it’s up to us to try and keep him and see if we can get out of this league next year with the quality that he brings.”
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