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.