Bourne Town, who have today appointed Shane Clarke as their new manager, take time off from their relegation battle in the Northern Premier Midlands Division to try and extend their club record run in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

The Wakes’ have already toppled two teams from the higher level Southern Premier Division Central in the competition, but now host a third in Bromsgrove Sporting, who have lost just one league all season, at the Abbey Lawns (3pm kick off).

Bourne are six points from safety in the Northern Premier Midlands Division after a 4-1 loss at promotion-chasing Carlton Town on Tuesday. Callum Milne had given Bourne a half-time lead. ‘The Wakes’ have three games in hand on the three teams directly above them.

Clarke, a UEFA A licence coach, enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs including Lincoln City, Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity, Tamworth and Worksop Town. He also enjoyed a successful period managing FCV Grace Dieu, working alongside George Zuerner. Together, they achieved back-to-back promotions and lifted the Nottinghamshire Senior League Cup. Zuerner has joined Clarke at Bourne, while long-serving official Martin Bond and Chris Lenton have followed former manager Dan Flack out of the club.

Spalding United are also in second round Trophy action at Enfield Town of the Isthmian Premier Division.

The bottom two in United Counties Premier Division North, Deeping Rangers and Hinckley, clash at the Hayden Whitham Stadium on Saturday (3pm) when Netherton United will hope to snap a four-game losing streak in all competitions by beating Diss Town in a Thurlow Nunn Division One game at the Grange (3pm).

Whittlesey Athletic area also at home in Division One, to Wroxham Reserves.

Fifth-placed Peterborough Sports do not return to Southern Premier Division Central action until November 21 when they host title fancies Bromsgrove Sporting. Stamford AFC also don’t play again until that date wen they host fellow strugglers Leamington.

Sports have allowed goalkeeper Tom Jackson to move to lower level Corby Town on loan for 28 days. Jackson has rejoined his former Stamford SFC boss Graham Drury who took him to Sports in the summer.

Jackson had lost his place at Sports to former Spalding United ‘keeper Dan Wilks.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

FA Trophy second round: Bourne Town v Bromsgrove Sporting; Enfield Town v Spalding United.

United Counties Premier Division North: Deeping Rangers v Hinckley AFC.

United Counties Premier Division South: Atherstone Town v FC Peterborough.

Thurlow Nunn Premier Division: Harleston Town v March Town; Wisbech Town v Walsham Le Willows.

Thurlow Nunn Division One North: Long Melford v FC Parson Drove; Netherton United v Diss Town; Whittlesey Athletic v Wroxham Res; Wivenhoe Town v Holbeach United.

Lincs Senior Trophy: Blackstones v Appleby Frodingham.