Barton Town Old Boys vs Hall Road Rangers

The Easy Buy Stadium

Saturday September 2

Kick off 3pm

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

By Neil Winsor

Photographs supplied by Lee Myers

PHOTO 1: Hall Road boss Dave Ricardo reveals his camp are excited at weekend local derby fixture

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HALL Road Rangers boss Dave Ricardo has revealed his team are looking forward to the weekend’s local derby at Barton Town Old Boys in the NCEL Premier Division.

Rangers got the proverbial ‘monkey off their back’ last week with a 3-1 success over Harrogate Railway which saw them record their first win since returning to the NCEL Premier Division.

“The game is one we are looking forward to as a group. The win against Harrogate wasnt the prettiest by any stretch however I believe it has given the players confidence as we have been playing well for large parts of games so far this season but not been killing teams off.” Ricardo said

They are four points currently seperating both sides in the early season standings to Hall Road’s advantage, and Ricardo is preparing his side for a battle against a side which have a number of former Hall Road Rangers players amongst their midst.

Although Barton were well beaten in midweek at home to Liversedge, Ricardo revealed his side will have to roll their sleeves up, and be wary of any complacency.

“Barton will be looking to turn these local derby games into a battle and have a mix of experienced and young players that if not on our game will bite us on the backside.” the Rangers boss added

With a busy September ahead three out of their next four fixtures are at Haworth Park and Ricardo has also revealed his point target from their next block of games.

“I am looking for a minimum of seven points in the next three games and that starts on Saturday.

I along with the coaching staff went to watch Barton on Tuesday and we will be training hard as the lads always do during the week to make sure we are ready for the immediate battle ahead.”

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PHOTO 2: Jack Binns is one of four players set to return as Hall Road travel to Barton

Hall Road go into the game without Josh Batty for the final time who sits out the last of his three game suspension whilst Gareth Owen is also unavailable against one of his former clubs.

They are boosted though by the return of four players.

The quartet of Chris Spinks, Conner Harman, James Whittingham and Jack Binns (pictured) all missed last weekend’s win are available once again, whilst Danny Norton, Sam Belcher and Louis Bruce will all be keen to line up against their former clubs.

The hosts meanwhile could line up with former Hall Road defender Dane Mortimer who represented Rangers in the first half of last season before switching to Selby Town, whilst Paul Foot and Gary Bradshaw are also part of the coaching set-up at the Easy Buy Stadium.

Hall Road also go into the game looking to record back to back wins in the division for the first time since September 2012 when they comfortably overcame Armthorpe Welfare and Lincoln Moorlands.