CALDY welcome fourth-placed Blackheath to Paton Field on Saturday.

The hostile atmosphere so accustomed with Merseyside sport in current times will once again be roused as the numbers continue to increase to play their part in Caldy's National One survival ambitions.

There was a slight deviation on course to such ambitions in last week’s 43-25 defeat.

The score came as a surprise to many as Old Albanians produced their performance of the season to overcome Caldy.

Their need to call upon Saracens' youth to aid their survival challenge was a testament to Caldy's debut season and certainly a canny use of the unjust 'dual registration' rule.

Yet Caldy fight on.

An 11-point cushion with three games remaining is a favourable one considering the size of the club.

With two out of those games being at home, the team are confident they can carry on outplaying even the top Nat One sides, starting with Blackheath.

Caldy manager Derek Salisbury said: "There's no reason why we can't take them on.

"They are a good all-round side with a mobile pack and really sharp backs.

"Their outside centre Markus Burcham caused us a lot of problems in the 13 channel so our aim is to play proactively and limit their opportunities as much as possible."

Treating Blackheath to another scintillating home performance will put Caldy close but not mathematically safe.

First team coach said: "The lads know they’re still in a relegation battle.

"The senior players have been relentless in reminding them of that.

"So until it's mathematically certain we will continue to work hard like we have all season."

Blackheath arrive in good form and with plenty of experience.

Last week's 23-12 win against Cambridge secured a bonus point win and outside centre Burcham, who was making his 150th appearance last week, playing 127 games consecutively, rather poignantly scored a try.

This is a tough test for Caldy but passing tough tests with distinction is by no means out of the question.