STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy tomorrow (Saturday) buoyed by two additions to the squad.
Defender Keil O’Brien has signed permanently after being on loan from Southport, and is fit for selection after a hamstring injury. Striker Liam Dickinson has returned again on loan from Bradford Park Avenue, this time for a two-month period.
Avenue have given permission for Dickinson to play in the Trophy, and he is likely to go straight into the side as Scott Spencer is out with a knee injury picked up in last weekend’s defeat at Tamworth.
CURZON ASHTON face Worcester City at the Tameside Stadium still affected by the aftermath of last week’s 4-2 victory over Halifax Town in which they had three players sent off.
Alex Brown and Niall Cummins, both of whom were dismissed after being shown a second yellow card, miss tomorrow’s match. The club have appealed against Jamie Stott’s straight red and are expecting the decision imminently.
“Anyone would think we’re a bunch of thugs,” said manager John Flanagan who was still seething at referee Aaron Jackson’s actions seven days after the game.
Luke Clarke comes back into the reckoning after completing a suspension.
Each winning side in the Trophy will receive £4,000 in prize money.
In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, Ryan Crowther returns for ASHTON UNITED who visit Spennymoor. The much-travelled winger has recovered from an ear condition that affected his balance and has successfully completed a treadmill test proving there is nothing wrong with his heart.
Co-boss Jody Banim commented: “Ryan’s not fully fit but hopefully he’ll get some minutes at the end depending on how the game is going. Yet again we’re down to the bare bones but I have my fingers crossed we’ll get three or four players back for the home game with Spennymoor on December 3.”
The Robins’ latest signing is local lad Robson Buckley who has been playing for Melbourne club St Kilda in Australia where he scored 11 goals in 10 games in a four-month stint. The 19-year-old midfielder previously played for FC United and Oldham Athletic.
Sam Fitton and Adam Jones face late fitness tests but are expected to get the go-ahead to turn out for HYDE UNITED against Ossett Albion at Ewen Fields in the Evo-stik first division north.
However, Mark Dempsey is doubtful with a quad injury and James Burke remains suspended.
“We’re down to the bare bones so we’re looking to bring more players in as soon as we can identify the right personnel,” said manager Darren Kelly.
Two new signings could feature for DROYLSDEN at Ossett Town as they attempt to end a run of two successive defeats.
Wade Maxwell, a 19-year-old winger, is a product of Liverpool’s academy and has played for Barnsley’s development squad. Centre-half Dave Artell, who has extensive EFL experience, has been at Kidsgrove Athletic. He has seven caps for Gibraltar despite being born in Rotherham.
Both GLOSSOP NORTH END, at home to table-topping Scarborough Athletic, and MOSSLEY, at home to Clitheroe, have injury and suspension-free squads.