IT’S been several years since STALYBRIDGE CELTIC’s supporters have has reason to feel so good at the start of a season.
After Tuesday’s impressive 5-1 demolition of fancied Scarborough, the question is whether they can continue their explosive form in the FA Cup.
Bridge feature in the competition’s preliminary round for the first time in 32 years when they face unbeaten North West Counties League first division south club West Didsbury and Chorlton at Bower Fold tomorrow (Saturday).
Manager Simon Haworth has a fully-fit squad to choose from as his side set off in search of a lucrative cup run. Each winning side picks up £2,890 while the losers get £960.
Another club on a high are GLOSSOP NORTH END who won 2-0 at Newcastle Town in midweek. They cross the Pennines to face Eccleshill United from the Northern Counties East League premier division, but will have to do so without Szymon Czubik who is unable to play in the FA Cup under the terms of his loan deal from Stockport County.
Midfielder Kayde Coppin joined the Hillmen this morning and they are looking to bring in a defender.
DROYLSDEN also travel to face NCEL opposition, in their case Liversedge who are among the premier division frontrunners. Shaquille Clarke and Michael Brewster are the only doubts.
Manager Dave Wild has more than his fair share of injuries to ponder as MOSSLEY — another club to win in midweek — head to Widnes.
The list reads Dieter Downey (knee), Craig Roddan (ankle) and Ryan Brooke (deep cut). Andy Keogh is suspended and Steve Mason and Gary Gee are both unavailable.
Midfielder Lewis Hatch, who was signed in midweek, goes straight into the squad.
In the BetVictor NPL premier division, ASHTON UNITED boss Jody Banim is hoping they can record their first win of the season at Bamber Bridge.
Having drawn with Atherton Collieries last weekend, they lost 2-0 at title favourites South Shields on Tuesday, but Banim believes the result did not truly reflect the game.
He said: “We didn’t start well but we ended up with 55 per cent of the play. I know that because their data analysts broke it down for us. We had more in the final-third, more corners, and we hit the post twice.
“I don’t think anybody else will go to South Shields and dominate the ball like we did.
“Pretty soon someone’s going to get a hiding. I know that performance is coming. Hopefully it’ll be this weekend but we’ve got to cut out the errors.”
Tom Field, who was sent off against Atherton and faces a three-game ban, has bruised ribs and will be out for at least a month.
It remains to be seen if HYDE UNITED can match Ashton’s possession statistics when they go to South Shields.
The Tigers gave an impressive display to win 2-1 at FC United in midweek but have to make the journey up to Co Durham without Martyn Woolford (ankle), Paddy Lane (hip) and John McCombe (back) in the squad.
Liam Tongue and Jack Dyche face fitness tests but Harry Benns is back from injury.
A piece of good news for CURZON ASHTON, who suffered their first National League North defeat of the season last Saturday, is that Matt Regan is available for their match at third-placed Kings Lynn.
Mo Ali has been called up by Somalia to play in the World Cup qualifiers and will miss four games.