Sunday League: Birds Eye set sights on the pace-setters

REIGNING champions Birds Eye Pelham take on league leaders Humberston in what could be a crunch weekend in Division One.

The two sides go head-to-head on a day that will also see second-placed DMS go up against GTF Seas, who sit one point behind them in third.

Pelham are currently in sixth with four points while Humberston are sitting pretty at the top of the table after winning three of their opening four matches and drawing the other.

And Birds Eye manager Steve Booth is expecting a tough game against the league's early pace-setters.

"The encounter against Mick Woolford's Humberston side will be a top game," he said.

"We know what to expect as the lads know one another.

"We must drag the core players back – they have to be fit and available.

"Then it's up to us to motivate the team, as the likes of Louis Grant and Liam Davis will take some handling.

"Everybody will know they've been in a game."

He added: "We've been struggling just recently with injuries and work commitments.

"We are really riding the storm at the moment.

"Last Sunday we fielded a bare 11, with Phil Graham and myself as subs, against LLS Allstars in the Lincs Cup.

"We won 6-0 thanks to goals from Liam Robinson, Gary Nimmo, Scott Raworth, Lewis Penny and a couple from Sam Ayres.

"The luck of the draw pitched us against a Division Seven team, anybody else and we might have seen a different result."

GTF Seas and DMS go into their game having both recorded decent victories in the Lincs Cup.

DMS beat Immingham Bluestone 4-1, while Seas hammered Clee Motors 7-1.

Seas secretary Mick Rouse said: "It will be a big game against a well organised and pacy DMS outfit on Sunday.

"We'll have a full squad available, with a recognised goalkeeper – for a change – playing behind our strong defence.

"We'll have to watch all of them but if we can stop Renzie Lobendhan controlling midfield, it will make a difference.

"Our man Bobby Lewsam is a big game player and he'll be up for this one.

"He's very lively and will be kicking the ball on the car park before we even empty the van!"

Elsewhere, in the Lincs Cup, Pattesons won 5-0 against RER Haulage with goals from Kerry Chapman, Garry Spurr, Adam Johnstone and Nathan Crooks, who bagged two.

Their secretary Gary Precious said: "The first half was tight but our fitness showed in the second half.

"Next weekend we entertain Crows Nest in Division Two.

"If they are all there and on song, then we will give anybody a game.

"We know we have to look out for Luke Fanthorpe and Lee McFarland but there will be others – we're looking forward to a decent game.

"It's time we delivered a performance that we're capable of and we'll be out to do that."