Ahead of the Tuesday night fixtures, the Holy Blues had climbed to fourth in the table. The impressive run of form, including league and cup, has seen the defence, marshalled by David Robson, keep five clean sheets in eight games, adding to the five in twelve games he had kept ahead of the current campaign.

At the weekend, Stocksbridge lost a five-goal thriller, away at Stockton. A stoppage time winner, seeing Stockton come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Teesside. The see-saw encounter leaving the Steels in 20th, with three points from their six games played. in their half dozen games, they have scored four goals, (half that tally coming at the weekend) drawing three and losing three, whilst conceding eight.

Goal-less draws away at Whitby (12th) and at home to Warrington Rylands (2nd) and a 1-1 away at Guiseley (17th) indicate Ian Richards’ men do have an element of the hard to beat – but goals have so far been their problem, with the weekend’s two goal hero James Morris now leading the Bracken Moor scoring charts.

Last season, Ian Richards defied the odds, leading Stocksbridge to promotion via the Northern Premier League East Division Play-Offs, having finished third behind Cleethorpes Town. And at the weekend, managed his 500th competitieve fixture within the National League System. Managing Stocksbridge & Penistone Church FC.

Stocksbridge’s only win so far this campaign, came away at Wombwell Town in the FA Cup, setting up a repeat of last season’s play-off final, away at Dunston! Wednesday night’s game represents only Steels’ third home game of the campaign, having already played five games away from home. A tough start for the newly promoted side.

And Trinity will be looking to make it a tougher start still as they look to make it four consecutive wins. Ensuring the defensive strength will go a long way to laying the platform for three points - but Wilcox's men will need to roll up their sleeves - and prepare to battle it out for all three points. George Hornshaw will be hopeful he has done enough to continue in the midfield engine room. His partnership with Jordan Helliwell n the heart of midfield, catching the eye of the Trinity faithful. Though Club Captain, Bobby Johnson has been working hard, in order to push for a place in the starting eleven.

Match Arrangements | Driving to Stocksbridge on Wednesday evening? The scenic Bracken Moor Stadium can be found using the postcode S36 2AN. Prices for all Steels’ league games are £12 adults, £8 concessions and £5 U16s. It’s my first visit in over twenty years & to say I have a few sketchy recollections… it will be interesting to see how things have changed at the home once graced by Stefan Zoll & Jamie Vardy!

Is there still a Meat Hamper as a raffle prize.. and do your feet still get wet at the front of the main stand during a torrential downpour. I also remember walking down some steps to get into the ground & being so close to the action on the front row of the main stand. We will see if my mind has played tricks on me, on Wednesday evening...

Other News | Our Pitching In Northern Premier League fixture, with Morpeth Town, originally scheduled for this weekend (Saturday 13th September) has been moved to Tuesday 7th October, 7.r5pm kick off. This is due to the Holy Blues' involvement in the Emirates FA Cup and our home game against Rushall Olympic.

We can confirm that Curtis Durose has this week left the football club, in pursuit of regular football. We place on record our thanks for his efforts whilst at the club. Go well, Curtis..His two appearances this season, took his tally to 73 games in total, scoring fourteen times.

Elsewhere

With all the other games in the division taking place 24 hours earlier than Trinity’s game, the Holy Blues will have the added knowledge of what everyone else has done, in the league for this matchday. The full list of fixtures are detailed here:

Ashton United vs Bamber Bridge
Guiseley vs Prescot Cables
Hednesford Town vs Ilkeston Town
Hyde United vs Leek Town
Lancaster City vs Warrington Rylands
Morpeth Town vs Hebburn Town
Warrington Town vs Rushall Olympic
Whitby Town vs Stockton Town
Workington vs FC United of Manchester

Wednesday: Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Gainsborough Trinity
Cleethorpes Town not in action due to the withdrawal of Widnes from the NPL

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook & Tommy Cox