Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley is hoping that his team picks up where they left off when they travel to Southport on Saturday in the Vanarama National League North.

Moors produced an excellent performance when they beat Alfreton 4-1 at the Brewery Field in their last game before their enforced break, and Ainsley wants the same again at Haig Avenue today. Moors are fourth in the table, eight points behind joint leaders Harrogate and Salford, and two points behind Brackley in third, all of them having played twelve matches.

“It’s another tough game for us, because Southport were in the National Premier last season. It’s another of these situations in which last season there were two leagues between us, like York City. We’ve played at their ground before in the FA Cup a few years ago, it’s a really good stadium with a pitch that should suit us.

“We go there in a very good frame of mind after playing some good football against Alfreton, and hopefully the lay off won’t lose us any impetus.

“We mustn’t rest on our laurels. We’ve done well in the first twelve games of the season, but the next couple of months will shape the rest of the season.

“We’ve had a hectic last couple of months, playing two games per week. It will seem strange playing Saturday to Saturday, with no midweek games. The downside to that is, that if we drop points, then we have to wait a week until we can put it right.”

Southport recently sacked their manager Alan Lewer after four straight defeats, and are currently 15th in the table after being in the top four at one point.

“It might be a tricky time to play Southport. They’ve just sacked their manager, and so the players might be doing their best to impress any new manager that may be watching.

“But I’m sure that our players will be in the right frame of mind.”

Ainsley will choose from a full squad, with the exception of winger Ryan Hall. Graeme Armstrong, who is on the transfer list, is included in the squad.