Lancaster City to face Northern Premier League leaders South Shields

Lancaster City will refocus on their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign when they take on South Shields tonight (September 13) at Giant Axe.

The Dollies will return to league action following two consecutive cup games against Stalybridge Celtic.

Their FA Cup first round qualifying tie against the Celts, which finished 0-0 at Bower Fold a week last Saturday, was replayed in Lancaster three days later, a game which City won 1-0, thanks to an extra-time strike from Joel Davidson.

Their scheduled game against Liversedge on Saturday was postponed due to the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

South Shields, managed by former England striker Kevin Phillips, have had a brilliant start to the season, currently top of the table and still unbeaten, having won four games and drawn three.

In Tuesday night’s game, Edward Elewa-Ikpakwu was forced off through injury and Jake Connelly came off after his groin tightened up, and City manager Mark Fell said: “I don’t know what we’re going to do about the amount of injuries we’ve got."

This will be the first time this season that City have had five or more days between two fixtures, so it’s hoped some of their injured players could have regained fitness by the time they host the Mariners.

Lancaster City vs South Shields starts at the Giant Axe at 7.45pm on Tuesday evening.