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Fylde coast cricket preview: Fleetwood have faced a packed fixture list in 2026 NPCL division two pacesetters face another weekend of back-to-back matches. Fleetwood CC captain Declan Clerkin admits this year has been a tough one for players as they prepare for another double-header. After last weekend’s NPCL division two matches with Penwortham and Thornton Cleveleys, the Broadwater club are in league and cup action this weekend. A third consecutive home league match against Great Eccleston looms on Saturday before Sunday’s National Club T20 group area final. That sees Clerkin’s players head to Colwyn Bay-based Mochdre CC, where they meet Edgworth before the winners play either the host club or Turton CC in the final. Another double-header is in place for the August Bank Holiday weekend but, with NPCL division two teams playing four more matches than their top-flight counterparts, it is another incentive for Fleetwood to win promotion. “We have played a lot of cricket so far this year,” Clerkin said. “I think we’ve already played six or seven double-headers this year, including the T20 games. “If you don’t have a family, you can maybe get away with that, but it’s harder if you are married and have children. “We’re excited about the T20 games on the Sunday, that should be a good trip to North Wales and we want to do well.” A number of Fleetwood players have made key contributions this year when needed, with Matt Siddall having starred in the last couple of weeks. He claimed 14 wickets in last month’s wins over Barrow and Preston, with 8-30 against the Cumbrians. Siddall was in line for a perfect day, having dismissed the first seven batters, only for Sherzai Wali to take the eighth - though Siddall had a hand in that dismissal. “He caught the eighth man (Sam Henderson) on the boundary!” Clerkin said. “It was a full-length jump and he almost fell back over the rope, but he’s a quality performer and a great team-mate. “By his own admission, he didn’t bowl well at the start of the year but he’s really stepped up.” SATURDAY NPCL Second Division (12.30pm): Fleetwood v Great Eccleston, Lytham v Whalley, Thornton Cleveleys v Euxton. Palace Shield Championship (1pm): Netherfield 2 v Fylde. Palace Shield First Division (1pm): Blackpool 2 v Longridge 2, Croston v Fleetwood 2, Tarleton v Kirkham and Wesham. SUNDAY Vitality Club T20 Cup (1pm): Edgworth v Fleetwood. Vitality Club T20 Plate (2pm): Woodhouse Grange 2 v Kirkham and Wesham.