On Trinity’s only other visit to the Skuna Stadium, a Nicky Walker inspired hat-trick gave Trinity all three points, during Curtis Woodhouse's reign. Earlier in the season a Clayton Donaldson double either side of half time wasn't enough to earn the Holy Blues all three points. Scott Bakkor (now of Guiseley) and Ethan Kershaw the goal scorers for the Colls. Current top scorer for Atherton is Jay Fitzmartin with six goals in the NPL. Four this year including goals against Warrington Town and Rylands, Radcliffe and FC United of Manchester!
Since the turn of the year, Saturday's hosts (at home) have won three, lost two and drawn two in the league. Scoring seven and conceding only five. This is in contrast to the Holy Blues, who as we know had our wobble back in January/early February. Three wins, a draw and three defeats sum up our form on the road since Christmas. Nine goals plundered away from home, with eleven conceded. Recently though, the Holy Blues have tightened up defensively, keeping three clean sheets in four and conceding only once in 395 minutes of football. Defensive tightness that will be incredibly important during the end of season run in.
Gainsborough, Atherton and Lancaster have all managed 12 draws so far this season, Warrington Town chalking up one more, with thirteen, meaning our next three games could be deemed to be the tightest 
of tight games. And with two of the three away from home, the Holy Blues really need that extra little push to continue picking up points and remaining, now we are back in the mix, in the play-off positions!
Team News
If selected, midfield talisman Liam Waldock will make his fiftieth competitive appearance for the club. Having made ten appearances in Trinity colours whilst on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, attacking midfielder, Waldock has gone on to make a further 39 appearances so far this season, adding goals to his game. Netting an impressive eighteen times in his 49 games to date. Not bad for a holding midfielder, eh?!
Yesterday it was confirmed by Scunthorpe United, that work experience loan, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, has extended his loan period with us until the end of the season. This was the only business completed by the Holy Blues, in what has been the quietest transfer window experienced by Football Secretary and Club CEO Matt Boles during his time in the role, Blues' boss Neal Bishop happy to run with the squad that are in and around the top spots with six to play.
The Match
Nationally, it's the annual non-league Day, and Bish and the boys will be hoping for a larger than normal away following, hopeful of seeing Trinity secure back to back wins and further cement a position in the end of season lottery that is the play-offs. Can the Holy Blues emerge with three points, much like the Three Lions in Italy on Thursday night?
Adults are priced at £10, concessions £6, under 18s £4 with under 12s going free. Cash payments only, on the gate, so let's go! And in the nicest possible way, let's turn Atherton Blue for the day! Fire up your sat-nav, enter the postcode, and head over to the Skuna Stadium, Alder Street, Atherton, Manchester M46 9EY. We look forward to seeing you with us!
Elsewhere
In a busy weekend of Pitching In Northern Premier League football, resurgent Nantwich Town host Bamber Bridge at the Weaver Stadium. First host second, as South Shields entertain Radcliffe and Hyde United travel to the Giant Axe, it’s certainly tighter than ever in the play-off spots. Having already played their games earlier in the season, Warrington Rylands and Matlock Town get a rare Saturday afternoon off, during the business end of the season. Where Trinity could climb as high as second if results were to go our way. The fixtures in full are:
FC United of Manchester vs Marske United
Guiseley vs Belper Town
Lancaster City vs Hyde United
Nantwich Town vs Bamber Bridge
South Shields vs Radcliffe
Stafford Rangers vs Morpeth Town
Stalybridge Celtic vs Ashton United
Warrington Town vs Liversedge
Whitby Town vs Marine
Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by Kate Simmonds (KLS Photography)