DAISY Hill manager Craig Thomas believes his team still have a chance of making the North West Counties League First Division play-offs.

Despite only having won once in 11 games, Hill are only three points outside the play-offs in ninth position ahead of tomorrow's trip to Eccleshall.

Thomas believes his side have to win three of their next four fixtures to stand any chance of finishing in the top six.

“We never started the season thinking we could be in play-off contention," he said.

"Our form has been very poor of late but we’ve been much improved in our last two outings.

“It’s been a transitional period – last year we tried to attract more local players after the season before when we had tried to bring in lads from Manchester and further afield.

“It’s a combination of the two now and I think we’ve found a recipe going forward.”

Atherton LR have only six games remaining and although the play-offs look a tall order, their run-in is relatively generous.

Aside from playing the top two, Rovers’ other four fixtures come against bottom half teams, starting at Northwich Flixton Villa on Saturday.

Atherton Collieries are not in league action again this weekend as they host Litherland REMYCA in the First Division Cup semi-final.

A huge couple of days looms for Colls. A win against Litherland would book them a second cup-final date, and then on Monday, a win at Daisy Hill would secure promotion.

On Wednesday night, Colls cruised to a 6-0 victory over Blackrod in the first round of the Hospital Cup. A Mark Battersby brace took him past the 50-goal mark for the season.