IF CURZON ASHTON are to get revenge for the 6-1 mauling they suffered at the hands of Kidderminster Harriers on the opening day of the season, they’ll have to do so without Connor Hampson.
The defender has accepted an offer from fellow National League North club Stockport County and so will not play at Aggborough tomorrow (Saturday).
However, Danny Shaw (knee) and Joe Guest (hamstring) have both recovered from their respective injuries and are able to make the journey to Worcestershire.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have no match. New manager Steve Burr will be using the day to meet his players and to host a training session.
Still reeling from their 4-1 midweek defeat at Stourbridge, ASHTON UNITED are likely to play a tighter system at Barwell in the Evo-stik NPL premier division. Co-boss Jody Banim feels they need to approach the game differently as they were a little bit too open at Amblecote.
He said: “It’ll be a tough game. Barwell play 4-4-2, they’re very quick and dangerous from set-pieces. They’re very much like Grantham who we played a couple of weeks ago.”
Looking back at the Stourbridge game, Banim added: “We were missing three players and for us that’s a massive loss. Domenico Maiese had a gashed head, Steve Mason had to work, and Matty Chadwick was unavailable.
“It was a weird game and never a 4-1. Everything Stourbridge hit seemed to go in while we just never finished the chances we created. While it was very disappointing, Will Haining and I were pleased with the performance. We’re going in the right direction.”
In the first division north, GLOSSOP NORTH END will yet again be without Eddie Moran and Nicky Platt as they head over the Pennines to play Farsley, the side immediately above them in the table.
The fans will be interested to see how the Hillmen cope without striker Jamie Rainford, who has joined Colwyn Bay. Despite his departure they achieved an excellent 1-0 win at third-placed Trafford in midweek.
Laurie Bell misses HYDE UNITED’s visit to Trafford. The influential midfielder is on a dual registration and has travelled to Torquay with National League premier club Macclesfield Town. Otherwise, manager Darren Kelly has a full squad to call on.
MOSSLEY are the only Tameside club to be home tomorrow, and the game could hardly be tougher. Their opponents are top of the table Lancaster. There are 32 points separating the sides and the Lilywhites have lost six of their last seven matches.
Chadderton striker Liam Ellis is set to make his debut but Caldon Henson is ruled out because of work commitments. Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison are hoping to make another two signings early next week.
DROYLSDEN’s confidence must be sky-high after last week’s heroics against Tadcaster when they came back from three-down to win 4-3. However, they have no match tomorrow.