RISHTON skipper Scott Greaves insists it is not all doom and gloom despite a winless start to the Lancashire League season.

The Blackburn Road club are bottom of the pile with just two points from five matches and are the only side yet to taste victory in the league this term.

They face a double header this weekend with a home game against Middleton in the Worsley Cup tomorrow before they aim to break their league duck when Norden visit on Sunday.

And while acknowledging a below-par start, Greaves believes there is cause for optimism.

He said: “It is not the start we wanted. We knew it would be a difficult start and a difficult season and we just need to start putting some wins together.

“I am not frustrated but maybe just a little bit anxious to get that first win on the board, the sooner we get it then hopefully some more will follow.”

The skipper also believes professional Mansoor Amjad is beginning to find his flow having made a half century in defeat to Bacup last time out.

“He hasn’t really found his feet yet with bat or ball but there were positive signs in the game against Bacup last weekend,” added Greaves.

“He batted very well and made 58 for us and also picked up a couple of wickets with the ball.

“If he can find his form then we will have a chance in most games, I think in quite a few of the games so far we have perhaps been a good professional score away from a result.

“You do see some professionals come in and make an immediate impact and hopefully Mansoor can play a big role for us moving forward.”

Rishton take a break from the league action tomorrow with their second round Worsley Cup clash against Middleton and Greaves is hoping a change in competition can help bring about a change in fortunes.

“We are very much looking forward to it,” he said of the cup clash.

“It gives us a chance to get that first win and perhaps the change in competition might help us.

“We would love to do well in the Worsley Cup and having a bye in the first round means we are only one win from a quarter final and so anything can happen.”

While Rishton are struggling at the wrong end of the table, Ramsbottom and Walsden are flying high at the top.

Both have 100 per cent records from five games played with Rammy leading the way by two points.

Tom Parton’s side will bid to extend that perfect record on Sunday when they entertain struggling Milnrow.

Walsden are on the road at an Enfield side who have won two of their five league games so far.

Accrington and Darwen lead the chasing pack with the pair locked together on 47 points.

Both are on the road on Sunday with the Towers travelling to East Lancashire and Accy, perhaps the surprise package of the season so far, away at Crompton.

Burnley are also going well and will look to continue their fine form when they welcome Rawtenstall while Lowerhouse are on the road at Bacup who will be bidding to make it two wins from two following their victory over Rishton last time out.

Defending champions Clitheroe have had a mixed start to the campaign and sit ninth in the standings ahead of a home fixture with Nelson while Haslingden will look for a second win of the season at Littleborough.

Elsewhere Colne and Church meet at The Horsfield while Great Harwood entertain Middleton.

Rishton make the journey to Norden while Todmorden are at home to Rochdale.

Meanwhile, the Lancashire League are hopeful of rearranging the opening day fixtures, which were washed out due to the wet weather in April, at the next league meeting.