STALYBRIDGE CELTIC sprang something of a surprise earlier today when club chairman Rob Gorski announced a two-year extension to manager Simon Haworth’s contract.
Haworth is a popular figure who has started the process of reviving a club that has underperformed for almost 20 years. However, fans could be forgiven for raising their eyebrows a little at the timing of the decision, given that a side that looked so promising at Christmas has managed only two wins in the last 15 matches with no home victories.
Gorski describes the extension as almost unprecedented, and he has a point. If Haworth stays until 2022, he would be the first manager to complete four years at Bower Fold since the late Pete O’Brien who was in charge from 1981 to 1986.
Tomorrow (Saturday) in the BetVictor NPL premier division, the Bridge are home to Warrington Town who were held 1-1 at Ashton United in midweek. Haworth has a full squad except for striker Craig Hobson who serves the last instalment of a three-match ban.
Neil Kengni’s loan at Marine has been extended until the end of the season.
ASHTON UNITED will be hoping to continue their own revival, which has lifted them to 18th place in the table.
Attacking midfielder Dominic McHale, who played eight games for the Robins last season, has returned to the club after being signed from league leaders South Shields. The loan of Crewe defender Billy Sass-Davies has been extended until the end of the campaign and Liam Tomsett is available for selection having finally completed his ban.
Dave McGurk could well field the same HYDE UNITED side that performed so impressively against Lancaster when the Tigers welcome Matlock Town.
The only absentee is Chris Sutherland who went off early last Saturday with a hip flexor problem and is likely to be sidelined for two weeks. The club have accepted that long-term injury Harry Benns won’t be back this side of the summer.
Hyde have received seven-day approaches for Tom Dean and Dan Turner which will be dealt with next week.
In National League North, Sean Miller is the only absentee for CURZON ASHTON who face third-placed Boston United at the Tameside Stadium.
Two new forwards have been brought into the GLOSSOP NORTH END squad ahead of their home match against Sutton Coldfield in the BetVictor NPL first division south east. Rhys Clooney comes in from Droylsden and Dylan Fitzgerald from Mossley.
Bakari Coulibaly, Will Hartshorne and Scott Kay are all back in contention for a place.
MOSSLEY and DROYLSDEN have no match.