BARNOLDSWICK Town boss Stewart Airdrie could be forgiven for wanting to see the back of 2016.

His side have won just one of their last ten Hallmark Security League Premier Division games and sit 18th in the table going into their New Year's Eve fixture at Ashton Athletic.

Their position is little surprise after taking just six points out of the last 30 and Airdrie is aware that his team face a tough start to the new year.

After playing mid-table Maine Road at home on January 7 they face four of the current top six in successive games, leaders Runcorn Town away on January 14, fourth-placed Runcorn Linnets away on January 21, before hosting sixth-placed AFC Liverpool on January 28 and visiting 1874 Nantwich who are fifth, on February 4.

Airdrie is fully aware of the task facing his squad. "We are going into a really hard run of games and I just hope we can get a settled side.

"We made a good start to the season but a combination of injuries, suspensions, work commitments and holidays have meant we have constantly had to change the team.

"It has certainly had an impact on our results, but I believe we are better than our position suggests. I felt after the way we ended last season we should be capable of getting a top ten finish this time, but it hasn't worked out that way so far."