CURZON ASHTON write another chapter in their short but impressive history tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to Sutton United to make their first-ever appearance in the second round of the FA Trophy.
Manager John Flanagan has a full squad to choose from but his side go into the tie on the back of two defeats and having scored only twice in the last three games.
Following last week’s 2-0 home defeat by Boston United Flanagan commented: “We’ve got to look at the way we’re doing things. We’ve picked up only one point out of a possible six and conceded three goals. That’s something that doesn’t make me happy.”
Sutton, who are third in Vanarama South, will be difficult to beat, especially one their own ground, the wonderfully named Gander Green Lane. In their last league match they beat St Albans 5-0.
Their manager, Paul Doswell, also has a full squad to choose from. Defenders Simon Downer returns from suspension, and counterpart Dan Spence is available after injury. Their key striker is England C international Dean Fitchett.
Doswell said: “I went to Cheltenham on Tuesday and had an interesting evening watching Curzon Ashton play Gloucester City. It promises to be a really good cup tie.”
The winning club will receive £16,000 in prize money.
Paul Phillips and Steve Halford have brought two southern faces into the ASHTON UNITED squad for the big match against fellow Evo-stik NPL premier division promotion rivals Salford City at Hurst Cross.
Striker Jonah Gosling has been signed from Vanarama South club Chelmsford City, and centre-back John Mbamarah moves from Ryman League Grays Athletic.
The Robins go into the game in fine fettle after erasing the memory of last week’s 5-2 defeat at Workington by beating Ramsbottom 6-0. All the goals were impressive, especially the last one when Joe Connor scored with an exquisite chip.
Phillips expects Salford to be a tough proposition. He said: “They’re a fit team who push forward and keep going work hard. They’re very much like ourselves but certainly have a bit of quality about them.
“We’ve been through a few things in training and hopefully we’ll give them a go.”
In the same division, HYDE UNITED meet Sutton Coldfield for the second time in a week, this time at Ewen Fields.
The Tigers have suffered a huge blow with the departure of Shane Killock who was team captain as well as an impressive centre-half.
Scott Spencer remains injured. Central midfielder Ben Holmes joins Hyde from Huddersfield Town.
In the first division north, DROYLSDEN will be hoping their recent upturn in form continues when they face Farsley Celtic at the Butchers Arms. The only two absentees are James Hampson and Lee O’Brien.
GLOSSOP NORTH END (home to Trafford) and MOSSLEY (away to Spennymoor) are both at full strength.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will have to make the tough Vanarama North trip to promotion-chasing Solihull Moors without the services of Matty Hughes. The skipper is suspended following his sending-off in the derby with Curzon Ashton.
Manager Liam Watson has an otherwise full-strength squad to choose from with long-term injury victim Danny Wisdom having come through his comeback game at Gloucester City last weekend with no ill effects.
Striker Adam Farrell missed that trip with an ankle injury but has recovered and is expected to play tomorrow.