Match off due to a frozen pitch

Boss Jim Nichols is keen for Penrith's game this afternoon to go ahead.

Due to their cup commitments, the Bonny Blues have not played back-to-back Northern League games, since the start of October.

They will do so today as they host Newcastle Benfield after losing 2-0 at Whitley Bay last Saturday - if the game goes ahead.

Penrith last faced the Lions, who currently sit 10th in the league table, a fortnight ago in their FA Vase second-round tie.

Captain Grant Davidson scored the only goal of the game.

And Nichols expects Newcastle Benfield to be targeting revenge.

"I'm sure they will be desperate to get one back over on us," he said.

"We are desperate for the game to be on. The league form has been a bit up and down. It's really difficult to get a run going.

"We have not played back-to-back league games since the start of October.

"Hopefully, we can get a run of league games after the Atherton game.

"I'm not in any way worried because, if you look at our points per game ratio, we should be up in mid-table."

Key man Ryu Williamson was not available for the Lions when the two sides met in the FA Vase but he could feature this afternoon.

Newcastle Benfield have also signed striker Jack Devlin from Northern League leaders North Shields this week.

Meanwhile reflecting on last weekend's loss, the Bonny Blues manager felt there was still plenty of positives to take from the game.

He said: "We were disappointed with the result. It was us that dominated the game, really.

"I thought we played alright. We were really disappointed with their first goal.

"Second half, we were camped in their half. It was not our day. The result was disappointing but we took a lot of positives."

Connor Shields will be unavailable in the short-term due to a change in family circumstances but Nichols will have as many as 19 to choose from this weekend.