Deeping Rangers take on Bourne Town in the United Counties League Premier Division North
Manager Michael Goode insists the form-book will go out of the window when he takes his Bourne Town side to face his former club Deeping Rangers tonight (Tuesday).
The two derby rivals go into the United Counties League Premier Division North clash at the Haydon Whitham Stadium in contrasting form.
Bourne have made a strong start to their return to step five of the non-league pyramid and are unbeaten in their last three league and cup games.
Deeping, however, are rock bottom of the table after five successive league losses and are currently without a manager following the departure of Johnny Alflatt.
While Goode acknowledges that his side will be upbeat heading into the derby duel, he is warning his charges about being complacent.
He said: "We will be confident about getting something out of the game but it will be a tough one for us.
"I don't see their league position as any reflection on how hard that game is going to be.
"It's a local derby and Deeping have some very experienced players in their squad who can easily put on a performance and I'm sure that they will raise it.
"I don't read anything into where they are in the league or how that will impact Tuesday night because it's a tough game for us."
It will be Goode's first match against his old club since he ended his successful five season reign in 2020.
He enjoyed strong league finishes, good FA Cup and FA Vase runs during his time at the Clarets but he is fully focused on getting three points for Bourne this evening.
He added: "It will be a tough night for me because I never left Deeping because anyone asked me to or for any other reason. I was just shot to bits.
"We had built up a couple of really good teams and had a really good bash at it twice but it is very tiring.
"I do feel that people still think I left Deeping under a cloud but it wasn't that at all.
"I grew up in the town and still live there, I played for all their youth teams as well so I still have a real affection for the club.
"It will be strange and I always find it tough to walk into places that I have left, but all I want is three points for Bourne Town because that's what I'm interested in.
"It will be a tougher game than some people might think so we'll have to make sure that the boys are ready for it."
Goode's management team of Dan Flack, Martin Bond and Richard Pickering also have strong links to Deeping while current Bourne players Dan Swan, Henry Dunn, Aaron Eyett, Robbie Ellis, Cameron Johnson and Will Bird have all previously played for the Clarets.
