PADIHAM manager Vince Overson is calling on his players to raise their game for tomorrow's clash with Great Harwood Town.

The North West Counties Division Two title-chasers meet at the Arbories with Overson keen for his side to banish the memory of Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat to Nelson in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy, and he is expecting another fiercely-contested derby.

"I would say it will be the biggest test for us yet," said Overson. "This is where we'll see if we have improved over the last few weeks.

"You have to lift yourself for the bigger teams, which is something Padiham do, so I hope that's the case on Saturday."

Harwood are banking on top scorer Matty Derbyshire being back in the team as he missed last weekend's game after playing for Blackburn Rovers Under 19s.

Manager John Hughes experienced defeat in NWCL Two for the first time last Saturday when Harwood lost at Cheadle Town, then they went out of the Marsden Trophy to Lancaster City two days later.

But the performance in Monday's 2-0 defeat has given the Harwood boss renewed belief his players can pick up three points at Padiham.

"I hope we can get a result," said Hughes. "I wasn't surprised last weekend because last season Padiham went 19 unbeaten and everyone who played them wanted to beat them. All their games were like cup games.

"So some time down the line that was going to be us after being unbeaten for so long, and on Saturday it was a cup game for Cheadle.

"They played well but we were without key players and two or three didn't perform on the day.

"But we bounced back against Lancaster and didn't deserve to get beat and now we need to see how we react again against Padiham."

Darren Rogers is back in contention after a bout of flu and Neil Kennedy is still doubtful, but goalkeeper Bobby Harris is back after a groin strain in place of Graham Kershaw, who now has a knee injury.

Padiham also have knee injury problems to contend with as Craig Wilkinson's ligament damage will sideline him for tomorrow and at least another two weeks after that.