Weekend Non-league Football Previews
IT could be three out as well as three in for HYDE UNITED who face Evo-stik NPL title-chasers Farsley Celtic at Ewen Fields tomorrow (Saturday). Manager Darren Kelly has made two signings and promoted an academy player, but he may have to go into the game without the impressive Tom Pratt who faces a fitness test in the morning. Chib Chilaka, just back after a three-match ban, is unable to play because of a family bereavement. Kyle Brownhill remains sidelined with concussion. The new players are Irish midfielder Adam O’Reilly, signed on a month’s loan from Preston North End, and Rotherham defender Akeem Hinds, who comes in on a youth loan. Academy lad Sean Corcoran can play at left-back or on the left of midfield. Tomorrow’s clash is a tough one to call. Although the Tigers won last week, their form has been inconsistent since the turn of the year. Similarly, Farsley have lost two of their last four games. Interestingly, both clubs recorded a victory over Workington in their last match. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC, who have lost their last four league outings, have a free weekend. Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison, who finally seem to have got GLOSSOP NORTH END picking up points, have today signed midfielder Kayde Coppin from Derbyshire neighbours Buxton. Coppin, who has played for several clubs including Ashton United and Mossley, goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s first division west visit by Prescot Cables who lost at Seel Park last Saturday. The Hillmen have no injuries or suspensions to worry about. Injury means Shaq Clarke misses DROYLSDEN’s trip to Kidsgrove Athletic. Dylan Smith is suspended and Phil Marsh has quit the Butchers Arms to go in search of regular first-team football. MOSSLEY’s promotion chase has to go on hold as they have no match. In National League North, both Ashton clubs are at home. CURZON ASHTON entertain Blyth Spartans with the same squad as last week. Mo Ali remains the only man sidelined through injury. Striker Adam Morgan is back in training. ASHTON UNITED are home to Bradford Park Avenue, the side with whom the Nash drew 2-2 last week. Manager Jody Banim believes his side can get the better of the Yorkshiremen, and wants revenge for last November’s 3-2 defeat when the Robins surrendered a 2-0 lead. Striker Craig Hobson returns but Liam Martin is ruled out with a knee injury. Paul Ennis has been allowed to move to Northwich Victoria on a dual registration. PLAYER movements registered with the Evo-stik Northern Premier League from Sunday, February 24, to 11am on Saturday, March 2.
Russ Saunders from Glossop North End to Bamber Bridge Matt Holmes from Runcorn Linnets to Glossop North End Braulio Maieco from Stalybridge Celtic to Glossop North End Aaron Burgess from Clitheroe to Droylsden Adam Farrell from Droylsden to Trafford Elliot Cooke from Kendal Town to Stalybridge Celtic Weekend Non-league Football Previews
WE’RE into the penultimate month of the Northern Premier League season, and MOSSLEY have ten games left to make sure of a play-off place in the first division west. Past form suggests they should have an excellent chance of achieving their aim and possibly returning to the premier division for the first time since 2007. Since the start of December they have won eight out of 11 league games and lost only once — to title-favourites Atherton Collieries. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Lilywhites are home to Prescot Cables and co-bosses Dave Wild and Terry Hincks have only one injury concern. Centre-half Adam Jones has a groin strain and will undergo a fitness test before the match. Ben Richardson starts a two-game suspension. Portuguese striker Braulio “Eddie“ Maeico has been signed from Stalybridge Celtic to add some extra bite up front for GLOSSOP NORTH END. The Hillmen, who have notched only four league wins all season, must be hopeful of recording a fifth as they are away to bottom club Skelmersdale who lost 9-0 at Colwyn Bay last week. Goalkeeper Matt Holmes moves to Surrey Street from Runcorn Linnets to replace Russ Saunders who has been released. Otherwise, co-managers Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have no injuries or bans to worry about. Midfielder Aaron Burgess — signed from Clitheroe — should feature for DROYLSDEN at Radcliffe. Michael Brewster returns from suspension and, while there is a slight doubt over Shaq Clarke, scorer of the winning goal last Saturday, assistant-boss Aeon Lattie believes he will be fit to play. In the premier division, STAYBRIDGE CELTIC will be without defenders Nathan Heath and Michael Clarke when they make the trip to high-flying Nantwich Town. Heath sustained an injury in training last night (Thursday) and Clarke has left the club after failing to make the squad for recent games. Midfielder Glenn Rule is also a doubt as Celtic look to arrest a slump in which they have lost their last three matches. HYDE UNITED, who have lost three of their last five games, face the long and wearying journey to Workington with a range of absences and doubts. Janni Lipka and Kyle Brownhill are both injured, and John McCombe and Dom Smalley face late fitness tests. On the plus side, Chib Chilaka is back after a three-game ban, Grant Roberts is fit, and manager Darren Kelly has his fingers crossed Deane Smalley will be back in contention after missing two matches. In National League North, CURZON ASHTON will have to try to pick up the pieces at play-off contenders Bradford Park Avenue after last week’s 6-0 home defeat by Altrincham. Manager Mark Bradshaw, who must be wondering what happened to the long unbeaten run with which his side started 2019, has moved quickly to bolster his shellshocked squad by signing defender Joel Senior from FC United. Striker Adam Morgan is back in light training and James Baillie is able to run again following his broken ankle. ASHTON UNITED’s visit to Alfreton Town will surely qualify as one of manager Jody Banim’s must-win matches, even though they were able to win at top-of-the-table Chorley last Saturday. Midtable Alfreton, who have also beaten Chorley in the last month, are only ten points ahead of the Hurst Cross side, who gave Kidderminster a run for their money in a fractious encounter on Tuesday before losing 1-0. Ashton were unhappy with the referee throughout the match, which ended with Banim being shown a red card for complaining after his side were denied what he believed to be a clear penalty when Liam Tomsett was brought down late on. Craig Hobson is unable to play as a result of the deal with Alfreton that allowed him to return to Hurst Cross. |
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