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.