Non-league Football Preview
⚫️ COVID-19: If you’re at a game tomorrow please adhere to all social-distancing guidelines. For more information, including admission, visit individual club websites. Use the NHS covid-19 app and look for the NHS QR posters — specific to each club — which offer a simple and secure way for everyone aged 16 and over to register their attendance. This will help NHS Test-and-Trace identify people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. The app is available on Android and iOS at: https://covid19.nhs.uk/help-downloading.html NEW signing Ethan Beckford comes into the reckoning tomorrow (Saturday) when HYDE UNITED face Pitching In south/east division side Frickley Athletic at Ewen Fields in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. While the Tigers have a respectable goals tally, they have occasionally looked a little blunt up front and manager Dave McGurk must be hoping Beckford is the man to sharpen things up. He could enter the side in place of Louis Myers who misses out with a damaged knee. Beckford, who is the son of former Mossley boss Jason and nephew of 1980s Manchester City forward Darren, has played most of his football in North America with Toronto and Pennsylvania State University. He made one appearance for Curzon Ashton last season. Wide-man Chinedu Uche is fit to play after a sore back forced him to be substituted in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Mickleover — Hyde's first game after an enforced two-week covid lay-off. So far this season, GLOSSOP NORTH END have found themselves facing the top clubs from their division week after week. It gets no easier tomorrow when their opponents at the Amdec Forklifts Stadium are unbeaten first division north/west leaders Workington. Midfielder Harry Freedman joins the squad from Stalybridge Celtic on a gentleman's agreement similar to the one that applied to Kyle Hawley who was recalled to Bower Fold ten days ago. A former Halifax Town player, Harry is the son of Scotland and Crystal Palace manager Dougie. Devon Matthews, who has impressed with strong and effective displays in central defence, is available after coming off last week. Lee Wilshaw, Ali Sheriff and Yves Zama have all suffered minor setbacks to their recoveries. The return of Mike Brewster, Tom Bentham and goalkeeper Greg Hartley, offers some hope to ASHTON UNITED who welcome Clitheroe from the first division north/west, but the list of absences remains a long one Sam Sheridan is sidelined with a possible broken bone in his foot and is awaiting scan results. Stavros Tsperes (ankle) and Sam Baird (groin) are also out. Mike Raynes and Chris Dagnall are suspended. Former Stafford Rangers defender Connor Taylor has been signed on a month's loan from Stoke City. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to in-form Marine in confident mood after their morale-boosting first league win of the season against Morpeth on Tuesday. Injuries deprive manager Simon Haworth of Damani Holmes and Ben Woods while left-back James Ellison is unavailable as he is on loan from Marine and not allowed to play against his parent club. Keano Deacon is 50/50 to return from a damaged hamstring that has kept him out for a month. Each winning club in the FA Trophy receives £3,750. The losers get £1,000. MOSSLEY boss Dave Fish is likely to name a similar line-up to the one that drew at Kendal for the visit to Widnes. Ben Richardson (injury) and Andy Keogh (illness) are both ruled out. Steve Cunningham is asking people not to take the National League North table into account as his CURZON ASHTON side prepare to meet Darlington at the Tameside Stadium. Although the Quakers are in 20th place without a win, they have only played two matches. "The table presents a false picture. Darlington have done very well in the FA Cup and when I watched them play Cambridge City they showed a great attacking threat," said the Nash manager. "They've also boosted their squad with a few signings and got a couple of injured players back. It's not going to be easy." Midfielder Robbie Evans returns after an enforced covid-related break but in what Cunningham describes as a bit of a blow, defender Marcus Poscha remains sidelined with a back complaint. He added: "We only have a small squad and some players are feeling the strain of playing 90 minutes three times a week. I'll never use injuries as an excuse but we will be bringing some people in over the next ten days to give us a bit of competition, a bit more depth, and to let us give some lads a rest. "But there's no rush. They have to be right for the club and for what we're trying to achieve here." Darlington boss Alun Armstrong is looking forward to visiting the Tameside Stadium. He explained: "The pitch its the best in the league and it should suit us. But anything can happen on the day, so we’ve got to make sure we’re at it, concentrate on ourselves and get the job done. We’re in a decent place but we need three points. “Curzon have strengthened a lot better than some expected. They’ve brought in players who would get in any National League North team, so it’s going to be a tough game. They usually bring in young lads on loan and have a go." Armstrong remains without the injured Will Hatfield and Dave Atkinson but Portuguese-born attacking midfielder Erico Sousa, signed from Tadcaster Albion, is in line to make his debut. PLAYER movements registered with the Northern Premier League from Sunday, October 18, to Saturday, October 24.
Alex O'Connor from Hyde United to Bamber Bridge Jackson Hulme from Droylsden to Kendal Town Non-league Football Preview
⚫️ COVID-19: If you’re at a game tomorrow please adhere to all social-distancing guidelines. For more information, including admission, visit individual club websites. Use the NHS covid-19 app and look for the NHS QR posters — specific to each club — which offer a simple and secure way for everyone aged 16 and over to register their attendance. This will help NHS Test-and-Trace identify people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. The app is available on Android and iOS at: https://covid19.nhs.uk/help-downloading.html STALYBRIDGE CELTIC — the lone Tameside team in action tomorrow (Saturday) — face third-placed Basford United at Bower Fold still looking for their first Pitching In NPL premier division win of the season. Things looked hopeful at Gainsborough in midweek when Jonathan Ustabasi gave Bridge an early lead, but they lost 3-2 to register their fifth defeat in six league and cup matches. Manager Simon Haworth will be without loan signing Will Goodwin who suffered a serious ankle injury in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Atherton Collieries. However, he welcomes Mike Burke, Keano Deacon and Freddie Sass back to the squad. Haworth, who is desperately hoping for a change of fortune, said: "We could have beaten both Atherton and Gainsborough but for individual mistakes. "It's frustrating because we're playing some good stuff only to let ourselves down with unnecessary and unpressured errors. We have to be smarter." Tameside Council has informed Celtic that games at Bower Fold must be all-ticket while covid tier-3 restrictions apply. Tickets for tomorrow's match will be available on the club website until 1pm. Joel Mills is pushing for a recall by GLOSSOP NORTH END who travel to Lincoln United in the first division south east. Lee Wilshaw is still troubled by a damaged ankle and Ali Sheriff and Yves Zama are not expected to be available until next week. Jared Wild has signed for New Mills on a dual registration. "I'll be trying to sort out more players on these deals so they can get minutes and be ready when called upon," manager Peter Band explained. HYDE UNITED return to action on Tuesday when they visit Mickleover after an enforced two-week break because of cases of coronavirus in the squad. Apart from long-term injuries like Jordan Fagbola, the squad is fully fit. Liam Tongue and Janni Lipka are back and Tom Pratt has had plenty of time to rest a slight groin problem. "The whole squad comes out of isolation on Saturday so we'll be training on Sunday," said boss Dave McGurk. CURZON ASHTON are one of three clubs not playing tomorrow. They have a free date but go to Chester on Tuesday. Manager Steve Cunningham said: "I know Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley and I'm looking forward to coming up against them. For me, they're the benchmark of north-west management that I measure myself against and the game gives me a chance to see how I'm doing. "Chester are a big club and I'm relishing the chance to test myself again another side that made last season's play-offs. "On Saturday I'm on a scouting mission up at Darlington." Curzon's only absentee is likely to be Marcus Poscha who has a bad back. Darren Stephenson, Doug Whitham and Matty Waters all came through the 2-1 defeat of Farsley with no ill-effects. Striker Dominic Knowles is also in contention. He pulled up towards the end of the Farsley game and started hobbling but Cunningham said: "Dom's been carrying an injury all season and we're trying to manage it. "He's battle-scarred from years of football and years of knocks. I expect to be fine for Tuesday." MOSSLEY and ASHTON UNITED have no match because of the coronavirus. IT would have been a little after 5 o'clock on a late autumn evening. I was doing a post-match interview with Gary Lowe in the shadow of the Tameside Stadium when a group of Curzon Ashton players appeared out of the darkness behind us, kit-bags in hand, heading for the car park.
As they drew level and noticed the microphone, they started to shout at us. "Lowe out" and "sack him" they called. "You're obviously popular with the players," I said to Gary, and quick as a flash he shot back: "Players? That's the board of directors." To me, that incident sums up Gaz Lowe who died in Spain on October 23 at the ridiculously young age of 61. It highlights the spark inside him, the impishness that played such a huge part in his success within football — and made him the ideal interviewee. I first met Gary in 1984 when Peter Wragg signed him for Hyde United hoping to use his talents as a creative midfielder. He didn't stay long and our paths rarely crossed again until 2000 when he replaced Joe Murty as boss of Curzon, who were then playing in the North West Counties League. They had just won promotion to the first division by finishing second to a Woodley Sports side led by a promising young manager called Gary Lowe. In his 11 years with the Nash, Gary achieved one of the two towering achievements of his career. In November, 2008, Curzon beat Exeter City 3-2 in the first round of the FA Cup. It was the kind of battling David-and-Goliath victory that the FA Cup is all about because not only were Exeter in League Two, they won promotion at the end of the season. I still recall the mixture of horror and disbelief in the eyes of former Spurs midfielder Steve Perryman who was then Exeter's director for football. Gary's other landmark success was to turn a Hyde United side that had finished 19th the previous season into the National League North champions in 2011-12. It's fair to say many Tigers fans weren't impressed when the appointment was announced. Some thought it was favouritism on the part of director Ted Davies who had been with Gary at Crystal Palace. Others felt a club of Hyde's stature needed someone with experience at a higher level than the NWCL and NPL first division north. Players like Dave Birch would be out of their depth in the National League. Yet Gary quickly gained their respect. Hyde won their first ten games of the campaign to beat the record set by Les Sutton's squad in 1972. His team played stylish football and the opposition struggled to win possession. By the spring, the Tigers were champions and Dave Birch had become one of the club's most popular players of the 21st century. During the match, Gary was always on the touchline, bawling instructions, and preferring an open-neck shirt and overcoat to a club-branded tracksuit. Post-match, he was available to everyone — glass of red wine in hand and a smile on his face. I never had to spend half-an-hour waiting for him. Win or lose he was always out of the dressing room with a few minutes and ready to talk. Birchy, who knew Gary better than most, isn't embarrassed to admit that he has been left deeply affected by the loss not only of a great manager, but also of a very close friend. He said: "I've posted a tweet saying that heaven's got a really, really big character and that's the truth. Gary was a very funny man and a character in every way, and he wanted characters in his dressing room. He wanted people who would run through brick walls for him. "Gary had that quality that he could scream and shout at you but after the game you'd be standing at the bar having a drink with him. You never felt any animosity. He just knew how to get the best out of players. I don't think people realise the impact he had. "He was a massive part of my life. He was like a father figure and taught me a lot. When I moved into management he continued helping me with advice and in finding players. "I'm heartbroken to have lost a friend, and that Gary never lived to hold Gio, his grandson by his daughter Zoe who was born a fortnight ago. He'd only seen him on Facetime and I think he was hoping to fly over next week. "His son Benito plays for us at New Mills and Gary was immensely proud of him. Benito has already been in touch saying he wants to play tomorrow and I'll have to consider him for selection, otherwise I'll have Gary shouting down at me. "At least Gary passed away in Quesada, where he part-owned a successful bar. We spoke a lot and he was always happy. He loved the place and the sunshine. But he's gone far too soon. Far, far too soon." PLAYER movements registered with the Northern Premier League from Sunday, October 11, to Saturday, October 17.
Matthew Chadwick from Warrington Town to Ashton United Chris Dagnall from Yeovil Town to Ashton United Adam Owen from Stockport County to Ashton United Anthony Williams from Stalybridge Celtic to Colne (youth loan) Antony Brown from Silsden to Mossley Nicolantonio Degirolamo from Buxton to Stalybridge Celtic James Ellison from Marine to Stalybridge Celtic (loan) Non-league Football Preview
⚫️ COVID-19: If you’re at a game tomorrow please adhere to all social-distancing guidelines. For more information, including admission, visit individual club websites. Use the NHS covid-19 app and look for the NHS QR posters — specific to each club — which offer a simple and secure way for everyone aged 16 and over to register their attendance. This will help NHS Test-and-Trace identify people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus. The app is available on Android and iOS at: https://covid19.nhs.uk/help-downloading.html DOUG THARME and Dale Whitham come back into the reckoning for CURZON ASHTON tomorrow (Saturday) as they look to extend their unbeaten start to the National League North season against Farsley at the Tameside Stadium. Both have recovered from injury with midfielder Whitham being declared fit after successfully coming through a rigorous training session last night (Thursday). Two players face fitness tests in the morning. Manager Steve Cunningham is optimistic that striker Darren Stephenson will come through but admits defender Matty Waters could be struggling. Cunningham, who watched Farsley lose 3-1 to Fylde in the FA Cup in midweek, believes his side are in for a difficult 90 minutes but have what it takes to prevail. "I came away knowing it'll be a tough game. They pose some genuine threats but if we can deal with them I think we can cause them problems. That's what we have to do because it's important for us to remain unbeaten," said the Nash boss. He was also keen to praise striker Dom Knowles who already has four goals to his credit. Cunningham said: "Dom's a great guy but what really stands out is his work ethic. He's a really quiet lad for a player of his experience and reputation and has settled in right away. He's a breath of fresh air and it's like he's been here for ages. "Dom's our talisman and if we can keep him I quite genuinely believe we'll have one of the best number-nines in the league. And I realise that's a big statement." Farsley, who are managed by former Curzon coach Adam Lakeland, have one point so far — taken from title favourites York City — from two matches. Winger Will Hayhurst could return after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury, but midfield could be weakened as Joel Byrom is a doubt having taken a knock at Fylde which led to him being subbed. Goalkeeper Steve Drench should return after completing a one-game suspension. Lakeland accepted Tuesday's FA Cup reverse at Fylde but added: “I couldn't have asked any more of our players. We always keep going and we never know when we’re beaten." Manager Simon Haworth is expected to ring the changes at Atherton Collieries as he looks to find a first league win for his STALYBRIDGE CELTIC side and get them off the bottom of the Pitching In NPL premier division. Defender James Ellison has been brought to Bower Fold on a month's loan from Marine, but Haworth will still be without Keano Deacon (hamstring). Newcomers Will Goodwin and James Helliwell both impressed last weekend, despite the 4-0 home loss to Buxton, and are expected to keep their places. Matty Makinson and Krisel Prifti are both in contention after being left out. Mike Clegg says ASHTON UNITED could have as many as seven players unavailable as they welcome Mickleover to Hurst Cross following defeats by Matlock and Atherton Collieries. "It's been horrific. I've never had a week like this before in my time as a manager," the Robins boss commented. Veteran forward Chris Dagnall, who signed for Ashton earlier this week with wideman Matty Chadwick, is facing suspension after being sent off after only five minutes of the Atherton game. HYDE UNITED'S home encounter with Whitby has been called off because of two cases of covid-19 among the squad and backroom staff. The Tigers next match should be at Mickleover on Tuesday, October 27. Striker Antony Brown, signed earlier this week from Silsden, goes straight into the MOSSLEY squad for the FA Trophy second qualifying round tie at Marine. Ben Richardson remains the only injured player as Dave Fish attempts to get the Lilywhites back on the winning track after four successive defeats. The winners of the tie receive £3,000. The losers get £775. GLOSSOP NORTH END have a walkover as they should have met DROYLSDEN who have withdrawn from the NPL. PLAYER movements registered with the Pitching In Northern Premier League from Sunday, October 4, to 11am Saturday, October 10.
Oliver Thornley from Curzon Ashton to Radcliffe Mubarak Adarabioyo from Curzon Ashton to Stafford Rangers William Goodwin from Chester to Stalybridge Celtic (youth loan) Jordan Helliwell from Barnsley to Stalybridge Celtic (loan) |
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