Daisy Hill have no game tomorrow, but will be back in action for the first time in 2024 on Monday evening when they host Darwen at the Plumb Factory Stadium in the North West Counties League First Division North (7.45pm).

After a poor run of form in October and November, performances and results have improved with two wins and a draw from the last three games, and Daisy boss Lee Hill believes his squad will be able to pick up where they left off at the end of last year.

“During December the lads did really well, so we gave them a few days off from training, and started back this week,” said Hill

“The lads have come back keen and ready to go again, and we will have a session on Saturday, too, as we have no game, and work on a few things before the game on Monday.

“I feel like we have come through a growing and a learning spell in recent weeks which has matured the team well.

“The relationships on and off the pitch are forming and growing, the balance is looking good, and I feel like we have moved from maybe being pessimistic on match days to very optimistic.

“When we were on a bad run, the lads must have been sick of hearing me saying we are a good side, the results will come and the goals will come, and to just stick with it, believe in yourselves and we will come through it - and we have done.

“There is a really good, solid mindset and mentality, and the lads deserve credit for that.

“We are at the point where we are looking forward to every game, although we also need to bear in mind there are no easy games in this league.

“Out of the games we have played in the last few weeks, I think the Darwen game will be the toughest test, and that is no disrespect to the other teams we have played.

“We have had Darwen watched previously, and they play on Saturday at home to Atherton LR, so we will take the chance to go and see them again.

“They have got players who are not only strong physically, but can play football, too, so I can see the game being a bit different to the last few games.”