ADAM FISHER has expressed his disappointment with Sheriff Hutton Bridge’s current poor run of form, but acknowledges it highlights the overall strength of the competition.

Bridge have slipped to fourth in the Yorkshire Premier League North after suffering four defeats in their last five games, including narrow home losses to Castleford and, most recently, Driffield Town.

That win lifted Driffield one place to third bottom, which was also the position Cas occupied when they won at Moor Farm.

But Fisher also reckoned that Bridge’s reputation and lofty position may incentivise their opposition when lower-placed sides visit. On Saturday, they host eighth-placed Clifton Alliance.

The Bridge captain said: “I’m sure that sides come with nothing to lose and that makes them dangerous. Teams will want to beat the teams who are above them in the league.

“We did, and it will be the same for everyone else. When you go to a team above you, the pressure’s off, almost.

“It’s disappointing really – we’ve got ourselves into a bad run of form. We’re struggling with the batting and losing too many wickets in short periods.

“I’m not sure why, it just happens in cricket, but we’ve got some young players and hopefully they’ll learn from it.

“I’m sure we’ll be back to winning ways at some point.

“There are a lot of good sides in the league, and these results prove there’s lots of good sides. We always knew the league was strong all the way through.

“Castleford played well at our place, as did Driffield. They were both in the bottom half of the league but they’ve shown they’re good sides and I’m sure there will be more swings in the season to come.”

Tomorrow, Bridge will look to get back on track when they welcome Clifton – and Fisher has it clear in his mind how they will accomplish this task.

Alliance have enjoyed a clear win and a winning draw in their last two fixtures against Scarborough and Sessay, respectively.

“We just need to play good cricket,” Fisher said. “If we play good cricket, we increase our chances of a positive result. If we don’t, chances are it will be negative. Alliance will be thinking the same thing.

“It will be nice to get back to winning ways, and hopefully we’ve learned from previous games and we will put it right.”

Bridge will be missing vice-captain Russ Robinson on Saturday, as well as Matthew Fisher, who is away with England Lions.

Meanwhile, bottom side Acomb visit Driffield Town, leaders York travel to Sessay and a third v second clash sees Stamford Bridge host Woodhouse Grange.