GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood and his team don't need reminding about the importance of their Carlsberg FA Vase second round clash with Crook Town at The Showground tomorrow (kick off noon).

Underwood and five members of his first team squad were all involved in Clitheroe's epic run to Wembley in the competition back in 1996 so they know all about the magic a good run in it it can bring.

"It still gives you a buzz playing in the Vase," said Underwood.

"We've got four cup ties coming in the space of three weeks so I'm hoping this will give us a kick start."

Harwood are also keen to make up for lost time having been forced to sit out this season's FA Cup due to an adminstration error.

But they'll have to find a way of blunting a Crook Town forward line which accounted for UniBond Premier Division leaders Leigh RMI in the FA Cup earlier this season.

"I've had a word with Mick Higgins over at Leigh and he said they have two danger men up front," said Underwood.

"But he did say we are very capable of getting at them ourselves."

Dave Bennett and Mark Walsh are definitely ruled out and there are doubts over Warren Peake and Neil Kennedy.

But John Morrey should be fit to return.

STEVE Parry is hoping his CLITHEROE side can take their impressive league form into the FA Vase.

The Blues, who have climbed to third in the FNWTL, travel to Morpeth in the Vase.

"The lads were wonderful in midweek when we beat Skelmersdale," said Parry.

"And we are going into the Vase at the right time." Brian Welch is a doubt and both Dave Gray and Matt Anderton have left the club.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED will have three key men missing for their FA Vase encounter against Chris Waddle's old club Tow Law Town.

Brendan O'Shaughnessey is suspended, Karl Trimble has work commitments, and recent signing Mike Smith is cup-tied.

But Danny Goodall should be fit to return after missing Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over Atherton Collieries.

And United are confident of at least taking the tie to a replay.

"It's a bit of a journey into the unknown but they've got a good pedigree in the Vase having got to the final in the last few years so we know it's going to be tough," said secretary John Maher.

"I think most of us, given the option, would settle for bringing them back to Rammy next week."

BACUP BOROUGH boss Brent Peters has received a massive double boost ahead of his side's top of the table clash with Curzon Ashton at West View tonight (kick off 7.45pm). Borough chief Peters has pipped Nelson in the race to sign former Accrington Stanley and Clitheroe utility man Chris Grimshaw.

And talented teenager Nicky Taylor has put pen-to-paper on a new improved contract which will keep him at West View until 2002.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic and elated that someone of Chris Grimshaw's vast experience has decided to join us," said Peters.

"I had a good chat with both Chris and his wife and eventually I persuaded him to sign.

"And after having talks with Nicky over the last month I'm delighted he has agreed to extend his stay as well.

"That's a massive boost for us."

Peters is also set for contract talks with Damien Moran and Karl Stanley in the next few days following Borough's meteoric rise up the FNWTL Second Division table. And if they beat second-placed Curzon tonight, then they could go joint-second themselves.

Stanley is trying to shake-off a groin problem and Brian Winrow is doubtful with a dead leg.

ROSSENDALE UNITED can take another giant step towards the summit of the FNWTL First Division table when they visit Fleetwood Freeport tomorrow (kick off 11am).

Dale's 4-2 victory over Cheadle Town on Tuesday - their fourth on the trot in the league - pushed Micky Graham's men up to sixth.

And with games in hand on most of their rivals, United are handly placed to make a title challenge of their own.

"These are the type of games we need to win if we want to stay near the top," said Graham.

"But we are on a bit of a high at the moment and we are looking forward to every game."

Recent signing Steve Cunningham is out for the next three weeks through suspension.

And John Borland is nursing a bit of a knock but he should be okay to continue.

DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes is urging his players to keep their feet on the ground after Tuesday night's 8-0 demolition of Ashton Town.

That result took the Anchormen to the top of the table but player-boss Wilkes is trying to keep things in perspective as he prepares his troops for the visit of Chadderton tonight (kick off 7.45pm).

"It's going to be very hard for me to bring people back down to earth after Tuesday night's result," said Wilkes.

"But we've need to put that out of our minds and concentrate on tonight's game.

"If we beat Chadderton we could go four points clear at the top but for some reason we always find it difficult to play against them so we can't afford any slip ups."

Mick Lynch is the only absentee because of a hamstring problem. NELSON'S magnificent unbeaten run will be put to the test tonight when fellow title contenders Woodley Sports are the visitors to Victoria Park (kick off 7.45pm).

John Bailey's Blues have yet to taste defeat in the league, winning nine and drawing five in a 14-game run which has lifted them up to third in the FNWTL Second Division table.

That impressive sequence earned Bailey the Second Division's Manager of the Month award for October and he will receive his prize at tonight's game.

But Woodley are renowned party-poopers and they can go third themselves if they pick up three points.

"It's going to be a big week as far as games go and the players will have to keep responding if we are to keep in contention with the league leaders," said Bailey.

After tonight's clash, Nelson face Leigh RMI in the Marsden Lancashire Trophy on Wednesday before another vital top of the table clash with Curzon Ashton next weekend. CHORLEY boss Ken Wright is hoping to use his side's break from action as a chance to bring in a couple of fresh faces to Victory Park.

The Magpies were set to play Workington in a UniBond First Division fixture tomorrow but the Cumbrians failed to agree on an alternative kick off time because of the Scotland-England clash and the game will now be played at a later date.

Wright has vowed to strengthen in all areas in a bid to get his side back in the title race after another failure against Ossett last weekend.

"I'm running out of patience with the fact that our performances have been so up and down," said Wright.

"We are conceding too easily, we are missing too many chances and we are probably not being as creative and competitive as we should be in midfield.

"But I'm fairly optimistic we can bring one or two in and this break gives me that little bit of extra time to do that."

Former Blackpool midfielder Tony Rodwell could be one of those new faces.

Rodwell has been training with the Magpies recently and Wright will have another look at him in a friendly against a local team on Monday before making a final decision.

COLNE are without a fixture this weekend.

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