Harefield United return to action at Preston Park after a two-week absence when they face local rivals North Greenford United on Tuesday night (28th).

The Hares come off the back of a close encounter at fourteenth placed Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, with in-form striker Lenny Farhall sealing a late penalty to pick up a point, ending 2-2.

However, North Greenford are in the midst of a tight relegation battle, but The Blues' current red-hot form means Colin Jones’ outfit will be no walkovers for Harefield.

Manager Jason Shaw describes the first match of two in the same number of weeks against The Blues as a ‘really tough game’, and explains how their Middlesex contemporaries will be a task.

‘It is going to be another tough game for us, looking at the current league statistics, they have played 6 games and picked up 11 out of 18 points we have played 6 games and picked up 4 out of 18 points.’

The sides recent meetings are due to rearranged fixtures, with the majority of the Reds’ matches postponed because of poor weather through December.

‘Hence they are the form team out of the two sides and therefore we will need to ensure we turn up with the right attitude and commitment or we face losing the game.’

The postponements over the festive period had an obvious impact on the fixtures, but the Harefield manager underlines the effect on his squad members.

On whether his team are back in full flow now with seven games under their belt since 28th December, Shaw commented:

‘Unfortunately not, we are working hard and creating opportunities, but we are making silly mistakes which we are getting punished for.

‘We need to stop these mistakes if we are to try and progress up the league.’

Shaw also argues that the league table can only explain so much given the recent performances, and no games can be taken for granted at this level.

‘I don't believe any game in this league is a ‘gimme’, all games are tough and with North Greenford United being the form team out of the two sides, so it is going to be a big challenge.'

Nonetheless, the Preston Park outfit can take confidence from the fact that they are only one of two sides in the league to be unbeaten at home in the league this season, along with leaders Colney Heath.

The current run of five wins and two draws when at home will hold little bearing on the result of the match given the opposition, but a positive to take at least in the current winless spell of six games.

‘I wasn't aware of that stat, but it is always important to perform at home and with the way results have been going for us at the moment we need to try and keep that run going’ stated the manager.

‘It is a home game so we will be working hard to try and win the 3 points but with the form they are in, this is going to be a very hard game for us to win.’

With North Greenford sitting seventh in the SSML Premier Division form table, including picking up an away point at promotion hopefuls Bigglewsade United last time out, James Barnett will be one to watch after picking up five goals in 11 appearances in the league, with seven in all competitions.

Another form player at North Greenford’s disposal is Joe Mills, who has bagged 3 goals in his four most recent appearances, aiding in their current bid to avoid relegation as they sit second from bottom.

Jason Shaw and First Team Coach Michael Molokwu unfortunately couldn’t provide a positive update on what is becoming a rather extensive list of injuries, including key players such as veteran Richard Pacquette.

On current timescales and injuries to contend with, the boss stated:

‘We do not have any suspensions, but we do have a few injuries that aren't helping us.

‘Our Captain Sean Mangan is out for at least another 6 weeks with a fractured ankle, Richard Pacquette is out for 4 to 6 weeks with knee ligament damage and Gurkan Gokman will be 2 to 3 weeks with a hamstring injury.’

Poor weather unfortunately will threaten yet another home Harefield game, with more rain softening the Preston Park turf and putting the fixture in jeopardy.

Groundsmen will have it all to do on Tuesday-day as the rain holds off for most off the day, in the wake of heavy downpours on Sunday and Monday.

Follow @harefieldutd on Twitter for updates on the fixture.