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Non-League preview: Star hoping to shine under lights tonight
TONIGHT (Friday) is set to be a very big night for Northern Star.
TONIGHT (Friday) is set to be a very big night for Northern Star.The ambitious city club are hoping for a bumper turnout when going into action under their Chestnut Avenue floodlights. Chris Plummer's men host Potton in Division One of the Hereward Teamwear United Counties League (8pm kick-off) - the first of two games they face in under 24 hours.
Star also have a Northants Junior Cup second round trip to Kettering Nomads on Saturday afternoon, but tonight is very much the priority. Plummer has challenged his side to cement top spot by taking maximum points and also produce a performance to really put the club on the map.
Plummer said: "It is a big occasion for the club and should be a great experience for the players. County cup games take priority, so rather than lose our league fixture we brought it forward to tonight.
"We are becoming a proper little football club and are very serious about pushing on through the leagues. We want to become a second club that the city can be proud about.
"We normally get somewhere around 100 people at games and we are hoping to double that tonight.
"If we can perform like we did last Saturday I certainly think people will like what they see. We set out to play entertaining, attractive, attacking football. If you're not doing anything, come down to watch live football and have a couple of beers."
Plummer has no injury concerns and will go into battle with a fully fit 18-man squad. He added: "Obviously it is a tall order playing twice in under 24 hours, but hopefully we will come through both games well.
"Tonight is definitely the most important one. Promotion is the minimum requirement this season while any sort of cup success would be a bonus."
Huntingdon go to Wootton in Division One tomorrow.
STAMFORD manager Tuncay Korkmaz wants to use a midweek victory as a springboard for a UniBond Division One South charge.
The Daniels claimed a first league success since August when defeating Shepshed 2-1.
Korkmaz hopes they can continue in the same vein at Market Drayton in Shropshire tomorrow. He said: "Winning certainly feels a lot better than losing games and we need to produce plenty more of the same.
"That means making sure we push on and build on the win over Shepshed. It won't be easy at Market Drayton but it is all about picking up results consistently"
Centre-back Paul Malone returns from suspension for Stamford tomorrow. His availability means Korkmaz won't pursue loan target Neil Spafford of Gainsborough any longer.
Young left-back Seth Burkett is expected to keep his place after impressing in the past two games.
Spalding play host to high-flying Sheffield FC. Manager Mark Hone is planning a post-match announcement understood to concern the arrival of new players.
Stamford man Peter Smith is expected to reject a move to the Tulips.
DEEPING are planning for life without skipper Jimmy Dean for the next few weeks.
Dean is away on holiday and then also faces a one-match suspension. He is not expected to be available again until well into November.
The midfielder's absence is a major blow for boss Pat Rayment as Rangers plot to continue some fine recent form, starting when they entertain St Ives tomorrow in the Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Premier Division.
Rayment admitted: "Jimmy doesn't just provide great presence, he is an excellent footballer as well. I don't feel he gets enough credit for his ability as a player.
"He will be a big loss and I am not fully decided which way to go for the next few games."
Youngster Spencer Tinkler is the player most likely to benefit while Dean is away.
Rayment is also still searching for extra firepower and is understood to be checking on several potential targets.
The other four local sides are all away. Holbeach go to Long Buckby, Bourne are at Newport Pagnell, Yaxley visit Northampton Spencer and Wellingborough is the destination for Blackstones.
Wisbech play host to Debenham LC in the Ridgeons Premier Division. Fenland neighbours March are also on home soil against Ipswich Wanderers.
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Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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Wind direction: North west
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