STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be glad simply to hear the click of the Bower Fold turnstiles tomorrow (Saturday) — a sound that will mean they are playing their first home National League North game for nine weeks.
Promotion hopefuls Darlington are the visitors and manager Steve Burr is able to choose from a fully fit squad with the exception of midfielder Kristian Platt (tonsillitis).
New signings James Roberts and Matty Regan are both expected to make their debuts as Celtic look to play their first competitive game since February 18. They are scheduled to play five of their next six at home with the sole away trip in that sequence being to bottom club Altrincham.
Fleetwood midfielder Kieran Dunbar has agreed to extend his loan spell until the end of the season.
CURZON ASHTON will be seriously under-strength when they play their own version of the 330 derby at Stockport County who sit just outside the play-off places.
The Nash have at least four players unavailable: Ian Howard, Ryan Jennings, Matt Flynn and Alex Brown, while Niall Cummings (back) and Joe Guest (groin) are doubtful.
“It’s a nightmare. What a game for this to happen,” groaned manager John Flanagan.
ASHTON UNITED are set to meet up with a former co-boss at Marine in the Evo-stik NPL premier division. Paul Phillips has signed for the Crosby side and is expected to play in goal.
“It’ll be good,” said Robins joint-manager Jody Banim. I’m sure he’ll be keen to win the game — just as we are.”
Ashton go into the match having won at Buxton in midweek after a performance Banim described as the most complete since he and Will Haining took charge at Hurst Cross at the start of September.
He said: “It was a brilliant display. It means we’ve won eight of our last 12 games and lost only three. We’re getting the side where we want it to be and it shows we’re moving in the right direction.
“But we also want to beat Marine because we’ve got unfinished business with them. Back in the autumn they beat us twice in a week at our place — 4-0 in the Trophy and 4-1 in the league.
“I know they’ve had a change of personnel since then but there’s a little bit of added pressure on us to correct what happened. They played well and beat us comfortably, so we’ve got to right that wrong.”
Ashton are looking to make two signings ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
In the first division north, HYDE UNITED have three players suspended for their rearranged home fixture with Radcliffe Borough — chief among them star striker Matt Beadle. Skipper Paddy Miller and defender James Burke are also banned. Mark Dempsey is ruled out with a calf injury.
Beadle’s place could be taken by new signing Leon Osborne from Brighouse Town. Manager Darren Kelly describes him as a player with pace and physical presence.
Jason Hill returns for MOSSLEY who face Clitheroe at Seel Park. Central defender Andy Watson is expected to be fully fit.
Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison are hoping to bring back Danny Bell and Rob Flynn who are currently with Diggle. Band said: “When they left us, it was because some promises were made to them, but those promises didn’t happen.”
Suspended Joe Connor is the only absentee for DROYLSDEN who visit Prescot Cables.
Speaking of last week’s match with Radcliffe in which the Bloods came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3, assistant-manager Aeon Lattie commented: “We have too many comebacks. What we need is to be ahead in games.”
Chris Willcock has a full squad to call on as his GLOSSOP NORTH END side prepare to entertain lowly Goole looking for their fourth consecutive win.