MATCH PREVIEW: Bridge the gap

What would the Reds give for a repeat of their win at Irongate earlier this year?

That was their last win on the road back in February and they haven’t collected a point on their travels since. Indeed, the losing run now stands at eight matches – five at the end of last season and three more this.

Connor Pani vs Bamber Bridge

They travel to play Bamber Bridge on Saturday (3pm) hoping to get their season up and running after a disastrous start – one point obtained from six games played – which sees them rooted to the foot of the Premier Division table. Their seventh game, last week, also resulted in defeat and an early exit from the FA Cup.

In contrast, Jamie Milligan’s side sit in 5th position and can look forward to a game at Fylde in the Cup next week.

Last February’s victory at ‘Brig was secured thanks to goals from Steven Rigg and Ruben Grewal and was Reds’ first success there since 2004. The clubs have now met sixteen times in the NPL with the Preston side recording eight victories, Reds successful on five occasions with three matches resulting in a draw.

They have won all three of their home games scoring eight goals and conceding only two.

There could be some familiar faces in their line-up with Jamie Allen, Fin Wallbank and Kofi Moore all squad members.

Postcode: PR5 6UU

Mileage: 111