Weekend Previews
NEW signing Godwin Abadaki goes straight into the MOSSLEY squad for their FA Trophy first qualifying round tie at Darlington tomorrow (Saturday). The former Rochdale striker, who has been on the books at Hyde and Stalybridge, was signed this morning from Northwich Victoria. He joins a team that has been on the crest of a wave lately and won six of its last seven matches, rising to seventh in the Evo-stik NPL first division north. Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have no injury or suspension problems to report. Goalkeeper Ed Wilczynski returns for HYDE UNITED who visit Skelmersdale United looking to extend their run of victories to six. Jindrich Stanek, who missed the wins over Ramsbottom and Colwyn Bay with an ankle injury, has been unable to train and must undergo a scan. His loan period from Everton has ended but manager Gary Lowe said last week he was hoping to get it extended. Wilczynski comes in on a month’s loan from Huddersfield Town. Midfielder Rhys Gray is suspended for tomorrow’s encounter. Lowe is looking to strengthen his squad in the next few days. ASHTON UNITED face Ramsbottom United at Hurst Cross without Dale Johnson (hamstring) and Alex Frost (knee). Co-boss Paul Phillips describes the rest of his squad as fit and raring to go. Each winning side receives £2,700 in prize money. CURZON ASHTON, who have gone up to ninth place in Vanarama North after three wins from the last four matches, are home to Gainsborough Trinity. Their only absentee is Tom Eckersley who is continuing with light training. Fellow defender Simon Woodford has gone to Trafford for a month to gain some game time. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to table-topping Fylde buoyed by their midweek FA Cup win at North Ferriby. They will be definitely be without defender Jon Shaw (knee) and midfielder Bohan Dixon (suspended), and there will be late checks on defenders Jack Higgins (ribs) and Peter Wylie (foot), both of whom picked up injuries in Wednesday’s epic encounter. There could be starts for long-term injury victim Alex Mudimu, who was an unused substitute in both North Ferriby games, and Amour Lingouba who returns from a one-game suspension. Celtic’s Cheshire Senior Cup tie with Northwich Manchester Villa on Tuesday has been postponed to enable them to better prepare for their FA Cup first round clash at Doncaster Rovers on November 7. The Bower Fold club has extended its thanks grateful to Northwich and to the Cheshire County FA for their co-operation. Ben Richardson remains the only absentee for GLOSSOP NORTH END who are home to Scarborough Athletic. Striker Brendan Zibaka joins the lengthening injury list at DROYLSDEN who play Trafford at the Butchers Arms. However, Ben Hampson has resumed training. The Bloods will be holding a minute's applause for supporter Chris Shaw who died last week only six months after being diagnosed with cancer. Droylsden secretary Bryan Pace said: "Chris was a popular figure who will be missed. We will be holding an official minute’s applause before kick-off and I know the fans are planning to do the same again in the 35th minute to remember him once more. Chris was only a young man and it will be an emotional occasion and fitting tribute.” Weekend Previews
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have got it all to do if they are to beat North Ferriby in tomorrow (Saturday’s) FA Cup fourth qualifying round encounter at Bower Fold. The Hull side have lost only once this season – 1-0 at Tamworth on the opening day – and have won their last four games. Not surprisingly, they are bursting with confidence and skipper Liam King has said he wouldn’t want to play them given their current form. Manager Billy Heath believes the time is right for the club to reach the first round proper for the first time in their 81-year history. Celtic boss Liam Watson certainly expects a tough tie. He commented: “Anyone who has come across North Ferriby in the last few years will have nothing but respect for them. “Billy Heath has done an mazing job and of course they won the FA Trophy at Wembley last season when they beat Wrexham. “When I was at Telford the two of us went head-to-head for the league and it went right to the wire, so I’ve got nothing but respect for North Ferriby. “Anyone who has ever, ever had an easy game off North Ferriby had better tell me who they are because I’ve never seen one.” North Ferriby’s record against the Bridge is impressive with three wins and a draw from their four meetings since winning promotion to the National League North. Heath told the Hull Daily Mail: “We are very confident even though Stalybridge will make things difficult for us. We have enjoyed success lately against sides who like to get the ball down and play football. Stalybridge are more direct and are more threatening from set pieces. “It will be a different challenge to what we have been used to and we will have to defend our penalty box well.” Heath, who has seen his side win their last three matches without a recognised striker in the side, should have Ryan Kendall back. Kendall, who scored twice when Ferriby won the Trophy, is available after complications following the birth of his twins. Midfield trio Nathan Hotte, Ross Armstrong and Jamie Forrester miss out. Stalybridge are hoping to get to the first round for the first time since 2003 and see a glimmer of hope in the fact that despite their great record, Ferriby have only won once away from home this season. Aidan Chippendale (illness) and Jon Shaw are unavailable but Danny Wisdom could be in for a surprise return after missing all but one of Celtic’s games this season with a groin injury. Long-term injury victim Alex Mudimu has returned to full training and could be available for selection next week The winning side will receive £12,500. The first-round draw takes place on Monday and will be live on BBC Two, Radio 5 Live Sport and www.bbc.co.uk/sport at 7pm. In Vanarama North, CURZON ASHTON are hopeful that defender Andy Watson will be fit for the trip to Corby. He is described as 50/50 with a foot injury. Simon Lakeland has a bug and could miss out. However, Simon Woodford should make his return. Gary Burnett and Shelton Payne have been released. Tom Eckersley is back in light training and should be fit before the end of November. Defender Mark Lees, signed on loan from Telford United, is in the ASHTON UNITED squad alongside striker Dylan Moth for the Evo-stik NPL premier division game with Stamford at Hurst Cross. Jeff King and Jody Banim both miss out with knocks. Joe Connor and Alex Frost continue to be sidelined with long-term injuries. Striker Aaron Burns completes a three-match ban. HYDE UNITED, who face Ramsbottom at Ewen Fields, have three players missing. Central defender Shane Killock has torn a calf and could be out for four to six weeks. Lee Neville may have broken a rib, and there are fears that Michael Muscat has torn knee ligaments which, if true, would put him out for several months. Manager Gary Lowe said: “It’s hit us very hard and all we can do is shuffle things round. Injuries provide other players with opportunities.” Midfielder Grant Spencer (brother of Scott) and academy striker Michael Boateng come into the squad. In the first division north, Steve Hall, Luke Sharry, Dan Grimshaw, Shaq Adam and Ben Hampson are all injured for DROYLSDEN who will be hoping to make it three league wins on the bounce at New Mills who have lost every one of their 15 NPL matches this season. Ben Richardson is the only absentee for GLOSSOP NORTH END, who are home to Prescot Cables. Kelvin Lugsden returned in midweek after recovering from a broken ankle. MOSSLEY have a full squad for their game at Clitheroe where they will be hoping to record a sixth consecutive victory. Weekend Previews
TEN years ago the thought of CURZON ASHTON meeting Stockport County on level terms would have been unthinkable. County were well-established members of the Football League and the Blues were members of the North West Counties League premier division. But tomorrow (Saturday) the two clubs meet at the Tameside Stadium, and with Curzon having won their last two Vanarama North matches their confidence will be high. Home fans should enter the ground by turnstile A. Turnstiles B and C are for the use of visiting fans. Stockport supporters have been allocated 250 seats in the main stand and these can be accessed through turnstile C. There will be no bar facilities for visiting fans but they will be able to buy refreshments from a mobile unit. A recurrence of a calf injury has ruled out any return by Simon Woodford. Ben Eckersley is back in full training after having his tonsils removed, and Tom Eckersley has resumed light training following ankle ligament damage. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games when they travel to bottom of the table Telford United. Manager Liam Watson was unhappy with his team’s performance in Tuesday’s FA Cup win over Chasetown and could well make changes. Striker Chris Simm is available after serving a seven-game ban and Academy youngster Darius Osei is in contention after again impressing when coming off the bench in midweek. Peter Wylie could also be restored to the starting line-up after two substitute appearances. Watson will be without Aidan Chippendale (illness) and Danny Wisdom (groin) but both could return for next week’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash with North Ferriby United. New signing Joe Wilkinson makes his home debut for HYDE UNITED tomorrow in the Evo-stik NPL premier division clash with Barwell. The central defender, who is on loan from Huddersfield Town, figured in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory at Whitby which ended a run of four consecutive defeats for the Tigers. Manager Gary Lowe has no injuries to report. A string of absences have forced ASHTON UNITED co-managers Paul Phillips and Steve Halford to sign central defender Liam Goulding on a month’s loan from Accrington ahead of their visit to Halesowen. Aaron Burns is suspended. Jay Gorton, Joe Connor and Alex Frost are all injured. In the first division north, leaders GLOSSOP NORTH END are without three players for the trip to fifth-placed Brighouse: Ben Richardson, Mike Bowler and Kelvin Lugsden. Long-term injury Luke Sharry is the only absentee for DROYLSDEN who take on Prescot Cables at the Butchers Arms, desperate for points to pull away from the relegation zone. Striker John Bennett returns for MOSSLEY who face midtable rivals Bamber Bridge at Seel Park. Jack Bradley has returned to Halifax Town at the end of his loan period and Luke Horrocks has been released. “I wish them both all the best in the future”, said co-boss Peter Band. |
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