A FULL-BLOODED old-fashioned derby beckons at Surrey Street tomorrow (Saturday) when Glossop North End face Mossley in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.
The Hillmen, who have taken six points from their first two league games, scoring five goals and conceding none, face an unbeaten Lilywhites side that has won and drawn, and which put five goals past Kendal last weekend.
Add in the £1,925 prize money, and the fact that North End co-boss Steve Halford used to manage at Seel Park, and it’s clear that a tasty encounter is in prospect with more than local pride at stake.
The veteran Halford is, in fact, in intention to start for GLOSSOP. Chris Baguley and Billy Hasler-Cregg face late checks. MOSSLEY have no injury worries and are boosted by the return of Danny Johnson who was at a family wedding last Saturday.
Midfielder Chris Churchman continues to struggle for HYDE UNITED, who are home to Congleton, after suffering a deadleg. Left-back Lawrence Hunter is also a doubt
Danny Hall is the only possible absentee for DROYLSDEN who visit Ossett Albion. Adam Farrell, Phil Clarke and Dimitri Tuanzebe remain long-term injuries.
In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s heavy defeat at Whitby when they travel to bottom of the table Rushall Olympic.
Bridge will be without Danny Morton who has picked up an injury that is likely to keep him out for two to three weeks, but the rest of the squad are all available with either Lee Neville or Adam Jones expected to deputise for the absent skipper.
Midfielder Paul Ennis is back in contention after returning from injury and scoring the winning goal in last night’s reserve clash with Hyde United.
ASHTON UNITED have received good news ahead of their home clash with Grantham. Defender Josh Stachini, who was thought to have ruptured his cruciate ligament, has in fact only suffered a strain and could be back within a month.
“It’s very good news,” said manager Jody Banim, “although we did bring in a couple of signings as back-up because we thought Josh would be out for the rest of the season. The situation’s changed now but it gives us a couple of options.”
The men in question are former Mossley centre-back Josh Granite, and Stalybridge Celtic wide man Danny Pilkington. The Robins have paid a small fee for Granite, who moves to Hurst Cross from Trafford.
Otherwise, Ashton have six men out for tomorrow’s match including Stachini and long-term injuries Ryan Crowther and Rick Smith. Tom Eckersley and Dom Smalley both miss out.
Banim added: “We’ve got 16 fit players so we’ll be able to fill the bench. Against Farsley in midweek we were very, very poor in the first half and then tremendous in the second. So I’m hoping the second-half team turn up tomorrow.”
Jordan Wright has recovered from a hamstring tear and returns to the CURZON ASHTON squad for tomorrow’s National League North match at Tamworth.
Danny Shaw remains sidelined with an ankle ligament strain but should return to training next week.
Matt Flynn will undergo an operation on his knee before the end of the month. Rehab is expected to take six to eight weeks.