DANNY Pattinson is not concerned by Millom facing something of a fixture backlog after being hit by a number of postponements due to wet weather over the past two months.

It is testament to their performances in those matches which have been played that Millom are still in the top three of the West Lancashire League Division Two, despite having three games in hand on leaders Leyland United and seven on second-placed Ladybridge.

Player/manager Pattinson is understandably eager to get back to match action again in an effort to narrow the gap between themselves and the top two, which now stands at 12 points, but he is not worried about the number of games they have to make up.

“The schedule is out and people say about a backlog, but at the minute it's not looking too bad,” said Pattinson.

“We've got a couple of midweek games against local rivals, but you expect that anyway and with the weather picking up now, we're just hoping we can get a good run of Saturdays in.

"We're still in two cup competitions and have half the season still to play, so there is plenty still to play for.

“Obviously, the weather at the minute is not helping us at all, so we're a bit stop and start. I think the forecast is due to pick up, but our pitch isn't in the best condition at the minute so it's kind of out of our hands.”

All being well, Millom will welcome Lostock St Gerard's reserves to Hanna Field tomorrow, and Pattinson is particularly keen for that match to go ahead as his side aim to put one over on the team who handed them their first league defeat of the season in the away fixture.

And despite a string of postponements, the boss still has plenty of players putting themselves forward for selection week after week and has hailed the commitment shown by the squad as key to their strong showing so far in the 2017/18 season.

“In previous years, we've struggled to get a settled squad at Millom, but the lads have committed and they're available every week, which is a lot easier for me as a manager to pick a team,” said Pattinson.

“In previous years, people have taken going away as a priority, but I think this year the lads have realised they've got a chance of doing something good.

“The commitment has been there, even in training, and we've had good numbers on Tuesdays and Thursdays which makes a massive difference. So hopefully we can get some games on to get the interest back with the match-day side of it as well.”

Pattinson will no doubt be keeping a close eye on how Ladybridge, who lost 2-1 at Leyland last Saturday, fare when they travel to Dalton United tomorrow.

Elsewhere in the division, Furness Cavaliers, Furness Rovers and Walney Island are all at home to Croston Sports, Charnock Richard reserves and Thornton Cleveleys reserves respectively.

Vickerstown travel to Coppull United in the Premier Division, while the day's Division One action sees Askam United host Kendal County and GSK Ulverston Rangers head to CMB.

Holker Old Boys are aiming to keep alive their hopes of securing a place in the North West Counties League Division One play-offs at Cheadle Town, while the pick of tomorrow's Furness Premier League Premier Division action sees second play third when Swarthmoor Social host Haverigg United.

However, two teams who will definitely not be playing are Hawcoat Park's first and A-teams. Their home games against Poulton and Askam reserves respectively have been postponed due to a burst water main closing the sports club.