Millom look to continue their bright start to the season tomorrow with a home game.
Promoted into the West Lancashire League’s Premier Division, the South Cumbrians are unbeaten after two games.
An opening day draw at home to Poulton was followed by a 1-0 derby win at Cleator Moor Celtic.
But man of the match, goalkeeper Ian Studholme suffered a serious hand injury in that game and will miss tomorrow’s clash with Rossendale.
Manager Dave Allan had already lost the goalkeeper who was in the promotion-winning side.
He said: “Cade Heavyside suffered a bad wrist operation which needed surgery and will keep him out for most of the season.
“We signed Ian Studholme and it appears as though he has a broken hand from Tuesday.
“So it’s a big day tomorrow for Brodie Shaw. He’s only 16 and will be stepping up from that age group straight into the first team as our other experienced keeper is away on holiday.
“The squad, otherwise, is the one that won Division One last season scoring 98 goals and conceding just 33.
“But we know that we won’t dominate possession like we did then and it will be about adapting to then higher level of the Premier Division.”
Rossendale have started with a 5-2 home defeat by Blackpool Wren Rovers and a 3-3 midweek draw at Hurst Green.
Celtic were disappointed to lose out to Millom at home after they had started the season with a good 3-2 win at Astley and Buckshaw Utd.
Clearly manager Gareth Agnew will be hoping that his side can put away more of their chances tomorrow when they visit Eagley.
They had opportunities against Millom but wasted them or were denied by keeper Studholme.
It’s potentially a tricky one, too, as Eagley have started well with two wins – 6-1 at home to Milnthorpe Corinthians and 2-1 at Blackpool Wren Rovers.
Celtic manager Gareth Agnew said: “We talked about our finishing ahead of the Millom game and I said then that the misses would come back to bite us, which they did.
“We created five really good opportunities against Millom in the first half and couldn’t take any.
“The lads were gutted afterwards, and so was I, but we have to move on and make sure we improve on that side of the game.”
Whitehaven had no game in mid-week so the 3-1 defeat at Coppull has been their only action so far.
They are on the road again tomorrow with a trip to Haslingden St Mary’s who have started with a 3-1 loss at Burscough Richmond followed by a 3-1 midweek win at last season’s champions Tempest.
Manager Jon-Karl Benson suffered a blow at the week-end when key defender Lewis Tidy suffered a serious Achilles injury.
“I rate Lewis one of, if not the best defenders in the league so losing him is a major blow. It looks as though he will be out for at least a month and is going to be a big miss.
“The good new is that Josh Green is coming back after a long injury absence and we will work him back gradually into the team. It’s great to have him available again.”
The fourth Cumbrian side in the Premier Division, Milnthorpe Corinthians, could hardly have made a worse start.
A 6-1 opening day defeat at Eagley was followed by the same scoreline in mid-week at Poulton.
They face a third successive away game at Lostock St Gerard’s who have a win and a draw on their record so far.
Meanwhile the Corinthians clubhouse will stage the first round draw tonight for the Westmorland Senior Cup.
Corinthians have the honour of hosting the draw as Cup holders.
