Weekend Non-league Football Previews
DEFENDER Oliver Crowley and striker Paul Ennis feature in the ASHTON UNITED squad for tomorrow (Saturday’s) National League North game at Darlington. The two men — both ex-Stalybridge Celtic players — have been signed from Southport. Manager Jody Banim had hoped to include them in the team for the derby clash at Curzon Ashton but their registrations were not completed in time. Banim, who described himself as ecstatic after the Boxing Day victory at the Tameside Stadium, sees the Darlington match as the second part of a trilogy which concludes on New Year’s Day when the Nash visit Hurst Cross. He said: “Beating Curzon was part one. Now, I’m hoping we can go on and get two more positive results. But it’ll be tough at Darlington, especially as they had a magnificent 5-1 win over York on Wednesday. “We need to start picking up points from the teams around us, and Darlington are within touching distance.” Neighbours CURZON ASHTON, who are still without a win under new manager Mark Bradshaw, are home to second-placed Chorley. The Magpies started the season in superb form, winning nine of their first ten league matches. But since the end of October they have started to falter and they have won only two of their last five games. James Baillie misses tomorrow’s match along with long-term injuries Connor Hughes and Adam Morgan, as well as Niall Cummins who is on loan to Marine. All other players are available for selection including youth defender Josh Dickin and midfielder Danny Racchi signed from FC United. PLAYER movements registered with the Evo-stik Northern Premier League from Sunday, December 16, to 11am on Saturday, December 22.
Oliver Roberts from Stalybridge Celtic to Atherton Collieries Darren Thornton from Ashton United to Colwyn Bay James Handley from Buxton to Glossop North End Frank Jones from Blackburn Rovers to Glossop North End Niall Cummins from Curzon Ashton to Marine (short-term loan) Weekend Non-league Football Previews
JODY BANIM is swiftly learning that you get no breaks when your team’s struggling. Desperately trying to strengthen a side that had lost its last four National League North games, the ASHTON UNITED boss tried to sign three players ahead of tomorrow (Saturday’s) home game against fellow strugglers Southport but was rebuffed in each case. “We need to bring better players in but when they see our results they clearly think ‘I don’t want that’, explained Banim. “And the players we have got are leaving. The latest one is Brad Jackson, who has gone to Chester. He was probably our most effective forward player in the last few months. We need to replace him and we’re really struggling.” Luke Ashworth has a sore ankle and Mark Lees is a long-term absentee with a broken jaw. Several other players are carrying knocks but Banim says they will have to suck it up. Shrewsbury striker John McAtee has CURZON ASHTON on loan and manager Mark Bradshaw is hoping to sign another players in time for tomorrow’s game at Kidderminster. Niall Cummins has joined Marine for a month to regain match fitness. Connor Hughes has the results of his knee scan and will be sidelined until the end of February. In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be without James Caton for a fourth week when they travel to Grantham on the second leg of their 850-mile festive road trip. The tricky winger has been unable to shake off a troublesome calf strain. But defenders Josh Solomon-Davies and Danny Brady both return to provide some Christmas cheer for manager Simon Haworth. HYDE UNITED have four men out for their clash with bottom club North Ferriby at Ewen Fields. Luke Porritt, Matty Hughes, Grant Roberts and Alex O’Connor are all injured. In the first division west, it’s two in and two out for GLOSSOP NORTH END who are away to promotion hopefuls Atherton Collieries. Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have brought in defender Frank Jones from Colne and central midfielder Chinedu Uche from Oldham Athletic. Matty Russell and Daz Thornton have gone to Runcorn Linnets and Colwyn Bay respectively. Illness means Elliott Harrison is unable to play for MOSSLEY who are home to Chasetown. Logan Jeffs is sidelined yet again. DROYLSDEN are at full strength for their match at top of the table Runcorn. PLAYER movements registered with the Evo-stik Northern Premier League from Sunday, December 9, to 11am on Saturday, December 15.
Chinedu Uche from Oldham Athletic to Glossop North End Patrick Lane from Blackburn Rovers to Hyde United Thierry Lewis from Oldham Athletic to Hyde United Josh Ollerenshaw from Ashton United to Mossley Simon Woodford from Ashton United to Ramsbottom United Weekend Non-league Football Previews
A WEEK after producing their finest performance of the season by winning at Scarborough Athletic, HYDE UNITED face Evo-stik NPL premier division leaders Nantwich Town at home tomorrow (Saturday). And if they confounded the pundits, and their injury list, to come away from the Flamingo Land Stadium with all three points, they’ll have to do the same at Ewen Fields. The Tigers are down to the bare bones with Luke Porritt and Matty Hughes both expected to miss the match. Midfielder Janni Lipka and defender Kyle Harrison are also doubts. Manager Darren Kelly has brought in two academy players to help fill the gaps: goalkeeper Thierry Lewis and striker Paddy Lane. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC are also up against it. They have to visit South Shields, a club with a 100 per cent home record. Manager Simon Haworth is sweating on the fitness of central defender Michael Clarke who picked up an injury in training on Tuesday. Wide man James Caton and influential defender Josh Solomon-Davies are definitely out. Celtic head to County Durham without a win in five matches. In the first division north, new signing Owen Whitehead will feature in the GLOSSOP NORTH END squad to meet Prescot Cables at Surrey Street. The 18-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has been brought in from Manchester League Rochdale SH. Joel Ankers and Josh Stachini both have knocks, and Olly Thornley will be returning to Curzon Ashton after the game. Given the weather forecast, a pitch inspection has been arranged for around 9am tomorrow. Former Ashton United and Hyde goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw has joined MOSSLEY, who travel to Widnes. Co-boss Dave Wild has also promoted attacking midfielder Abdul Kadiri Asamoah from the under-21s. Ben Purdham has returned to Curzon. Logan Jeffs (groin) and Mason Duffy (hamstring) are both doubts. Shaquille Antoine-Clarke, who was stretchered off at Prescot last week, faces a late fitness test ahead of DROYLSDEN’S home match with Leek Town. Michael Brewster is also a doubt. As it’s FA Trophy first round day tomorrow, only one match goes ahead in National League North which means ASHTON UNITED and CURZON ASHTON have a free day. Curzon will be playing a closed-door friendly against a Bolton Wanderers XI. Striker Adam Morgan had a small operation earlier today to repair his stomach muscle wall and is expected to be out until the end of January. Connor Hughes has had a knee scan and is waiting for the results. Ashton United are home to Stockport County on Tuesday evening. |
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