Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley wants his players to get a tough month off to a good start when they face Telford United at the New Buck’s Head on Saturday.

Moors head to Shropshire in fifth place in the table, two points behind Telford with two games in hand. They are just three points behind resurgent Stockport County, and seven behind second placed Bradford PA with two games in hand on each of them.

As well as today, Moors welcome Kidderminster, Chester and Boston to the Brewery Field in the League as well as Sutton in the Trophy, while they have a local derby at Darlington in a fortnight’s time.

“This will be a tough month for us, but one that we are prepared for. This month’s games will shape our season – we would love to progress in the FA Trophy and keep our challenge going in the league.

“Telford is very tough start for us. They are having a very good season and have lost just once at home in the league, so we will have to be at our best to beat them.

“It would have been good for us to have beaten Blyth on New Year’s Day, but we still picked up a point and we’re right in the mix.

“It’s still not a bad position for us to be in, but we must make sure that we win games in order to keep the pressure on the teams around us.

“But we must always bear in mind that even if a team is at the top, this league is so strong that a team near the bottom can beat them.”

Moors set off on Friday afternoon for the game in Shropshire as part of their preparations, and stayed overnight in a hotel as they have tended to do for their long trips this season.

Ainsley could again rest some players bearing in mind that they have a re-arranged home game on Tuesday to look forward to, against Kidderminster.

“Considering that we’re playing two games per week, we need to manage the squad and keep players fresh.”

However, midfielder Rob Ramshaw is likely to be missing, as he came off with a thigh injury in the 2-2 draw with Blyth on New Year’s Day.

Meanwhile, Moors will be facing Sutton United in the Buildbase FA Trophy next week instead of Bromley. Last season’s beaten finalists have been removed from the competition for fielding ineligible player JJ Hooper in their game in the last round.

In the EvoStik League Premier Division, South Shields are at Witton Albion and Whitby go to Buxton.

In the EvoStik League East, Marske, who haven’t won for five league matches, are at home to Loughborough Dynamo, while leaders Morpeth face Frickley.