A FREAK training injury means GLOSSOP NORTH END will have to go to Clitheroe tomorrow (Saturday) without Dominic Marie.
The striker was hurt in a tackle when a player fell on his outstretched leg, breaking it. Co-boss Peter Band believes both tibia and fibula have been fractured.
“It looks like we’ve lost Dom for the rest of the season, which is sad because he’s such a good lad. He’s quiet, he trains, he works hard and he just wants to play football,” said Band.
“We have to think about him at the moment, and I’m hoping to go and visit him on Sunday. The lads are planning to have a collection and I think the board are doing something too.”
In terms of coping with the gap left by Marie, Band believes he has sufficient cover including ex-Fulham centre-forward Michael Elstone signed from Marine earlier this week.
Otherwise Band and his managerial partner Lloyd Morrison have a full squad for the trip to Shawbridge — a game in which they ought to have a great chance of taking all three points. Clitheroe are one place beneath Glossop in the Evo-stik NPL first division west table and have lost six of their last seven matches.
Victory could put the Hillmen within touching distance of Market Drayton in 16th place.
MOSSLEY, who are home to Colne, will be delighted to get their promotion push back under way after two weeks without a match. Their only absentee is the suspended Ben Richardson.
DROYLSDEN, who have had a very eventful couple of weeks, will be hopeful of victory as they visit bottom club Skelmersdale. Their only doubt is Sam Baird who faces a late fitness test.
In National League North, ASHTON UNITED take on Blyth Spartans at Hurst Cross in what manager Jody Banim acknowledges is a must-win game.
“It’s massive for us because we’re running out of matches,” commented Banim. “And no disrespect to clubs like Blyth, Guiseley and Leamington, but we’ve got to be looking to take three points from those games. If we don’t we’ll be in big trouble.
Missing from tomorrow’s squad are Liam Martin, who is unlikely to play again this season, and John Roberts. Luke Ashworth is doubtful.
CURZON ASHTON could do their town neighbours a bit of a favour by beating FC United at the Tameside Stadium. The Nash will be at full strength following Cam McJannett’s return from parent club Stoke City.
Ryan Crowther, one of the players who helped HYDE UNITED start the 2011-12 season with ten straight league wins, could be back in a Tigers shirt for the game at South Shields, having signed from Ashton United in midweek.
Fans will be hoping that Crowther, who has struggled since missing the 2017-18 season with a knee ligament injury, will regain his old goalscoring form.
Paddy Lane, Nicky Platt and Tom Pratt are all doubtful and face fitness tests. Ross Daly completes his suspension for the red card against Farsley two weeks ago. Adam O’Reilly has been called up for duty with the Republic of Ireland under-18s team.
Thanks to the demise of North Ferriby, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have no game. Instead, they will be hosting a meet-the-manager forum starting at 1pm.