Weekend Previews

RECENT results — and performances — suggest STALYBRIDGE CELTIC could be going to Broadhurst Park tomorrow (Saturday) as lambs to the slaughter when they face FC United in National League North.

Celtic have failed to score in any of their last three outings, and have lost two of them. Their showing against Worcester last weekend, where they were beaten 1-0 by a side that hadn’t won since November, was so poor that club officials lined up to criticise it in Tuesday’s programme.

Chairman Rob Gorski described the failure to perform as the most almighty of hammer blows. Press officer Keith Trudgeon expressed his dismay at those players who didn’t seem to be busting a gut for the cause.

Manager Steve Burr, who was livid after the Worcester game according to Rob Gorski’s notes, added: “No matter what happens between now and the end of the season, I will ensure that absolute effort and commitment is given from myself and the players. Of that you have my assurance.”

Perhaps because Rebels boss Karl Marginson was at Bower Fold on Tuesday, the Bridge are refusing to reveal much in the way of team news. It’s believed the squad is carrying several knocks and Matty Regan must be doubtful after the hamstring injury that led to him being substituted against Telford.

James Baillie misses CURZON ASHTON’s home clash with Gloucester after suffering a groin-pull during the warm-up before Monday’s game with FC United.

Niall Cummins is doubtful with a hip/groin problem and Ryan Hall is 50/50 with a knee injury.
The Nash have designated tomorrow a community family day and admission prices have been halved. There will also be prize draws and entertainment.

In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, ASHTON UNITED co-boss Jody Banim has paid tribute to loan striker Jack Dyche who has been recalled by Scunthorpe United.

“Jack’s done really, really well for us and hopefully will be able to cement his place in their squad until the end of the season,” said Banim.

“He was different class on and off the field and never gave us a moment’s mither. He goes back to Glanford Park with our very best wishes.”

Midfielder Rick Smith misses tomorrow’s Hurst Cross clash with Corby Town and probably the rest of the season. He has a knee injury and had a hospital scan this afternoon.

Reflecting on defeats by Marine and Bamber Bridge, Banim said: “They were two dreadful, dreadful performances and I don’t know where they came from. Some clubs can have a bad day and grind out a draw or a 1-0 win, but not us.

“The play-offs are out of the question now. All we can do is concentrate on finishing as strongly as we can and getting our plans in place for next season.”

In the first division north, form club HYDE UNITED, who have lost only two league matches since Christmas, are at full strength for the visit of Ramsbottom United.

GLOSSOP NORTH END, who are looking play-off certs, have no absentees for their game at home to Bamber Bridge.

DROYLSDEN are away to title favourites Farsley Celtic but ought to be in confident mood after last week’s 6-1 victory over Ossett Town at the Butchers Arms.

Steve Hall is suspended after being shown a red card for an altercation at the dug-out, after he had been substituted, and Scott Metcalfe is injured. However, Domaine Rouse returns after serving a two-game ban.

MOSSLEY take on Scarborough at Seel Park with Jason Hill and Rob Flynn available for selection. Danny Stapleton is rated 50/50, while James Blair and Mitchell Bryant have work commitments.

Weekend Previews

THREE days after ASHTON UNITED’s biggest win in years, co-boss Jody Banim has his sights set on the play-offs. He accepts that it’s a long shot but sees no reason why his side shouldn’t give it all they’ve got.

As he put it: “I know it looks unlikely but somebody sneaks in every year. We’ve got to keep on winning and see where it takes us. If we win our game in hand we’re only five points behind Warrington.”

The Robins’ 10-1 victory at Skelmersdale on Tuesday was only three goals short of their all-time record, a 13-1 defeat of Marple in the Lancashire Combination in 1919. Understandably it left Banim delighted.

“We’d been threatening it for weeks. But we’ve been profligate in front of goal. We should have put four or five past Matlock last Saturday because we must have had four or five clear on-on-ones,” said the Hurst Cross co-boss.

“I’m not saying I was expecting a 10-1 win but somebody was due to suffer. Yes Skem are bottom of the table and had a young side but I won’t let that take anything away from us. The lads did a very professional job and never stopped.
And don’t forget that in their previous game, Skem only lost 4-0 at Blyth.

“Since Boxing Day we’ve won ten of our 15 games, and of the four we’ve lost I was only disappointed with the displays at Marine and Barwell. If the lads work hard and do everything right I can’t complain.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) in the Evo-stik NPL premier division Ashton travel to Causeway Lane to play Matlock, the team they beat 1-0 last week. Banim is confident of a third consecutive victory but stresses that it won’t be easy. “There’s no surprise element now and they’ll be out for revenge. I never like back-to-back games,” he commented.

The Robins have made no pre-deadline signings. Banim and partner Will Haining are satisfied with the players at their disposal.

“It’s not the biggest squad but I think it’s good enough,” said Banim. “There’s no point signing anyone if they’re not really going to play.”

Matt Chadwick is banned tomorrow after being sent off last Saturday for two yellow cards.

In National League North, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to Altrincham for the second time in a week, but this time it’s for a home game. Bridge take on relegation rivals Worcester City in a veritable six-pointer but the game takes place at Moss Lane due to the parlous state of the Bower Fold pitch.

Groundsman Pete Owens is confident, however, that the game against Telford United will take place at Bower Fold on Tuesday.

Steve Burr’s men have their fate back in their own hands as they now lie 11 points behind both Worcester and Gainsborough Trinity but have four games in hand.

Celtic will unveil new signing Andy Bishop, the seasoned striker signing during the week from Hyde United, but will be without midfielders Kristian Platt and Gary Gee, both with groin injuries.

CURZON ASHTON have a full squad available for their trip to Chorley apart from long-term injury victims Iain Howard and Matt Flynn. Manager John Flanagan has made no late signings.

In the Evo-stik NPL first division north, Tom Bailey and Matt Russell have returned to play-off chasing GLOSSOP NORTH END who are on the east coast at Scarborough Athletic. Four under-21s have been promoted to the first-team squad: Josh Lowe, Mason Davies, Danny Ashton and Hadfield midfielder Liam Turner who is on the books at Macclesfield.

DROYLSDEN face Ossett Town at the Butchers Arms without Domaine Rouse who is suspended. Scott Metcalfe is injured and listed as very doubtful. No signings have been made.

Jason Hill misses MOSSLEY’s game at Clitheroe with a tight hamstring. Co-bosses Lloyd Morrison and Peter Band have brought in striker Elliot Harrison on loan from Halifax Town. Danny McLaughlin comes in from Diggle and Nathan Quinlan has been allowed to join Chadderton on a dual registration.

Macclesfield midfielder Omry Perel has switched his NPL registration from Droylsden to HYDE UNITED but other than that the Tigers have made no signings.

Manager Darren Kelly explained: “The fact is we don’t need anyone. Tomorrow, at Ossett Albion, we have everyone available and that’s a headache but a great one to have. We’re fully fit and raring to go and there’s no room for any excuses.”

NPL deadline transfers

Liam Turner from Macclesfield Town to Glossop North End
Perel Omry from Droylsden to Hyde United
Elliott Harrison from Halifax Town to Mossley
Josh Brizell from Glossop North End to Skelmersdale United
Ryan O’Hare from Droylsden to Skelmersdale United
Henoc Mukendi from Stalybridge Celtic to Sutton Coldfield Town
Kurt Sherlock from Stalybridge Celtic to Warrington Town

Jack McConville from Burnley to Hyde United

Weekend Previews

CAN STALYBRIDGE CELTIC do the impossible and avoid relegation? Despite Tuesday’s victory over Bradford Park Avenue, the odds remain heavily stacked against them.

They are 12 points behind Worcester City, who are in 19th place in National League North, but another win tomorrow (Saturday) and, as they have three games in hand on Worcester and Gainsborough, the two clubs immediately above them in the table, there might just be cause for the Bower Fold fans to start dreaming.

However, Celtic won’t have history on their side when they travel to bottom club Altrincham. The Bridge have not won a league fixture at Moss Lane since the early 1960s, and they have not registered an away victory of any kind since late October — a run of nine games.

On the plus side, manager Steve Burr has a fully fit squad to choose from and the players should be in good heart after the heart-stopping midweek win over relegation rivals.

Stalybridge’s hectic schedule, brought on by a rash of postponements due to the parlous state of their pitch, continues on Tuesday when Harrogate Town visit Bower Fold.

Jonathan Hunt and Ryan Jennings are both back in contention for CURZON ASHTON’s home clash with midtable rivals Nuneaton Town after recovering from injury. However, reserve keeper Cameron Mason is unavailable because of a family event.

Iain Howard’s pelvic problem is improving and he could return in two weeks’ time. Matt Flynn, who has a long-standing knee injury, is to have a scan.

New signing Charlie Duke should start for ASHTON UNITED who face Matlock Town at Hurst Cross in the Evo-stik NPL premier division.

Duke, who comes from St Helens, was at Torquay United, a club managed by Kevin Nicholson, a former team-mate of Robins co-boss Jody Banim. He can play anywhere in midfield and could feature tomorrow in place of a number of Ashton players who have knocks.

Banim said: “Charlie did a good job against Marine in a difficult situation. We were down to ten men after Domenico Maiese was sent off and it was a case of damage-limitation. He won the ball and broke up play well.

“But the Marine game was a massive disappointment. We just didn’t turn up in terms of fight or work rate which was very frustrating after we did so well against Buxton.”

The game of the day in the first division north is the derby clash between DROYLSDEN and GLOSSOP NORTH END at the Butchers Arms. After a good start to the year, the Bloods’ form has tailed off recently but they must feel hopeful after the Hillmen surprisingly lost 3-2 at home to basement club Burscough in midweek.

Tuesday proved to be a night of surprises as Farsley went down 2-1 at home to Goole who are second-bottom of the table.

Joe Connor comes back into the Droylsden squad after suspension but Domaine Rouse is injured and Shaquille Clarke is on a work course. Clayton McDonald’s loan from Altrincham has been cancelled.

Martin Parker is Glossop’s only absentee.

The wet weather has put the game in doubt and there will be a pitch inspection at the Butchers Arms at 11am.

MOSSLEY travel to Goole. Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have two men out: Jason Hill and Sam Livesey.

HYDE UNITED have no match tomorrow. Manager Darren Kelly has praised the team who won 3-1 at Ramsbottom in midweek.

He said: “We won with a depleted team but I don’t like that term because it makes it sound like the people who came in weren’t valued. Many of those I brought in played out of position and we ended up with a well, well-deserved three points.

“We’ve got another tough one on Tuesday, at Kendal. We’ll have one or two back for that and then, fingers crossed, I’ll have some selection headaches the following Saturday when we should have a full squad to face Ossett Albion.”