Spennymoor play their first home game since the middle of November when Bradford Park Avenue visit the Brewery Field in the National League North on Saturday.

A combination of Altrincham’s FA Cup commitments and an FA Trophy exit have meant that Moors have faced some blank Saturdays, but they’re going to have plenty of games over the next fortnight. After today’s game, they face Darlington on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, with Gateshead sandwiched in between, and leaders Kings Lynn away on January 4th.

Manager Jason Ainsley said; “We’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to play at home!

“It feels as though the season is starting away again, it’s been very stop-start over the last few weeks.

“It won’t be quiet over the next fortnight, we’ve got a tough series of games coming up in which we need to pick up as many points as possible to stay in touch with the leading group. If we come through this spell of games unscathed, then we’ve got a good chance of being amongst it.

“But Bradford won’t be easy – they might be near the bottom, but they’ve had some good results lately since Mark Bower has gone back as manager.” Moors are currently sixth in the table, just three points behind third.

Moors will include loan signing Jack Earing, a midfielder from Halifax, to bolster the squad ahead of the busy Christmas and New year period.

“We asked a few people about Jack, and he was well recommended. He’s the sort of lad who will fit well into our group. We needed to bring somebody in, because we’ve got a few injuries “We have a few games coming up in a short space of time, and we felt it was an ideal opportunity to bring Jack on board. He has fitted well into the group already, and he’ll be getting some game time.”

Jake Hibbs, Dan Ward and Shane Henry are all struggling with injuries, while Moors have agreed to release defender Scott Harrison from his contract by mutual consent.

Bradford are steadily improving from a bad start to the season after losing to Moors in the play offs last season.

Manager Mark Bower quit after that game, but returned recently after two unsuccessful appointments.

They are currently bottom of the table, with three wins from their 19 matches. The two clubs drew 1-1 earlier in the season.

In the BetVictor NPL Premier Division, leaders South Shields have a big home game against Radcliffe Borough, while Morpeth are at home to Warrington.

Whitby are away to Witton Albion.

In the North West Division, Marske United, who are sixth, are away to City of Liverpool, while Dunston host Marine.