ZACK Dale has returned to Barnoldswick Town after a brief spell at Prestwich Heys.

Dale joined the Manchester-based side last autumn shortly after former Barnoldswick Town boss Matt Barnes became joint manager there.

Dale scored five goals in nine appearances for Heys.

And current Barnoldswick Town boss Endrit Shehu is pleased to have Dale back in the fold.

"It's very positive for us," said Shehu. "He's a good goalscorer and that is something that we have lacked as a team.

"We played a friendly against Steeton at Burnley College last Saturday and won 3-1, and Zack scored one of our goals," said the Barlick manager. "We looked a different team with him in the side.

"He's so important for us. He scored nearly 40 goals for us in the league last season."

Shehu added: "It was sad to him leave last autumn, but he wanted to try something else. We're pleased to have him back."

Barnoldswick Town have added two other new signings to the team.

Fernando Adaze, 22, has joined from Alsager Town and 20-year-old Franck Kangue has signed after a spell with Wythenshawe Amateurs.

Shehu said: "Fernando is a young midfielder who is a physically strong player and Franck is a winger with both pace and skill."

With tonight's game against Northwich Victoria at Silentnight Stadium postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, Shehu and his frustrated players are now looking forward to this Saturday's home game against Hanley Town, who are bottom of the Premier Division.

"The boys are hungry to play, but it's just not happening," said Shehu. "There's still standing water on the pitch. We need four or five dry days to help dry out the ground."

Barnoldswick, who are third from bottom, are only three points clear of Hanley but they have four games in hand.

"When you look at the table, you might think it's panic mode but we have three, four or five games in hand on the teams around us."

This Saturday's match against Hanley Town kicks off at 3pm at Silentnight Stadium.

* Meanwhile, Steeton, who are bottom of Division One, will now play their weekend away game against Golcar United tomorrow at 8pm at Avro FC in Oldham.