Preston Grasshoppers make the trip across the Pennines this weekend to face high-flying Sheffield in National League Two North. The hosts have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, sitting at the top of the table after four straight wins, while Hoppers come into the fixture looking to build on some encouraging performances that haven’t always been fully reflected in the results.

Last week’s game against Macclesfield offered plenty of positives, though it ultimately slipped away during a difficult spell when a yellow card reduced Hoppers to 14 men. During that period Macclesfield were ruthless, crossing for three tries in quick succession. Reflecting on the match, Head Coach Dan Orwin was clear about both the strengths and the lessons: “Watching the Macc game back, we were good for large parts. We had a bad 20 minutes where we had a player in the bin and conceded three scores on the bounce. We need to take our chances and keep our discipline.”

That message will be central to this week’s preparations. Against a Sheffield side who have shown both consistency and sharpness in their early season outings, Hoppers know that opportunities will be hard-earned. Converting pressure into points, staying disciplined under sustained attack, and managing the key moments of the game will be crucial if Preston are to return home with a result.

There is just one change to the Hoppers side this week, with Ben Corless coming into the line-up in place of Sam Kyle-Clay. The consistency in selection reflects the progress being made and the belief in the squad to build on recent performances.

Sheffield’s home record and strong form make them favourites, but Hoppers will head to Abbeydale Park determined to show their progress, to compete fiercely in every area, and to demonstrate that they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s leading teams.