THERE is double incentive for New Brighton at Northwich on Saturday – provided the game gets the go-ahead after the sub-zero temperatures.

The match in North One West will also count in the semi-final of the Cheshire Senior Vase competition.

Officials from both clubs agreed it was the best course of action to fulfil the Vase commitment and certainly the Blues would love to book an Easter Saturday final.

It has not been the best of seasons for the Hartsfield outfit and a run of defeats has done little for their confidence.

But they can look back on a victory over Northwich in the first league meeting in early October as a useful pointer although admittedly the east Cheshire outfit has improved considerably since. They sit second in the table whilst New Brighton find themselves in the lower half.

Northwich could be a little ring rusty after the cold spell. The Blues did at least have an outing 11 days ago at home to Lymm and fought hard against the league leaders in an encouraging display.

More of the same at Moss Farm would put them in with a chance although away performances in the main have been below par.

Head coach Steve Dorrington appealed to players to maintain their own fitness during the cold spell but arranged for a get-together at an underground training centre in Hoylake last night.

CHESTER, like many clubs, have been out of action for over four weeks but hope to resume their National Three North programme at West Park on Saturday.

A satisfactory first half to the season has seen Chester occupy a top four placing and they will be keen to keep up the good work in the weeks ahead.

Training has been badly hit by the weather but Chester have been fortunate enough to make use of the nearby Army barracks which means they should step out in reasonably good shape.

Chester won 52-7 in the first meeting in October but will not be able to take anything for granted as they seek a double.