MORE than Derbyshire honour will be at stake when GLOSSOP NORTH END meet Matlock Town at Surrey Street tomorrow (Saturday) in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Both clubs have Wembley pedigrees.
The Hillmen have been to two FA Vase finals within the last ten years while the Gladiators won the FA Trophy in 1975 when their team included no fewer than three Fenoughty brothers: Mick, Nick and Tom.
Two new players could feature for Glossop. St Kitts and Nevis international Zeph Thomas is a striker who has been playing for Mickleover Sports. Wide midfielder Tunde Owolabi has been at Hyde United.
Jay Gorton is injured and Lewis Lacy has a stomach problem. Co-manager Paul Phillips rates his chances of playing as 50/50.
Connor Martin has gone to Irlam on a dual registration.
DROYLSDEN meet an Ossett club for the second time in two rounds when they cross the Pennines to Wakefield.
Dylan Smith comes back after a one-match ban, but Danny Ventre is suspended and Jack Rudge, Phil Clark and Domaine Rouse are all injured.
MOSSLEY have two absentees for their home clash with Lancaster. Tom Dean serves a one-match ban for accumulating five bookings and Marko Basic is not allowed to play under the terms of his loan agreement with Halifax Town.
Cedric Krou and Mike Fish are available. James Oppong comes into the squad after missing out in midweek.
ASHTON UNITED entertain Frickley at Hurst Cross but the question is which Ashton United will turn up? Manager Jody Banim was furious after Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Farsley when his side surrendered a two-goal advantage in the last 12 minutes.
“It was criminal and I let the players know. You’ve got to be seeing the game out in that situation. It was very disappointing but we keep going,” said the boss.
Parent club Chorley will not allow on-loan defender Will Beesley to play in the tie.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to Prescot Cables still looking for that elusive away win. Their Trophy tie with the Evostik North side will be their twelfth attempt to secure a victory on their travels since their last win at Alfreton on April 4.
Manager Steve Burr has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from although he will be without long-term injury victim Joe Garvin (knee) and loanee keeper Jack Walton who has returned to parent club Barnsley.
Joe Slinn is back between the sticks and midfielder Sebastian Julien is available after missing last weekend’s 4-2 home win over Barwell.
Each winning club in the FA Trophy will received £3,250 in prize money.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON may have to face Gainsborough Trinity at the Northolme without midfielder Paul Marshall who is struggling with an ongoing heel problem and is rated 50/50.
Rory Fallon continues his rehabilitation by getting some game time at Mossley, and it appears Jonno Hunt doesn’t need an operation. He has resumed light training and could be available within two to three weeks.
It’s the same timescale for Sam Madeley who is back in training after a hamstring injury.
HYDE UNITED limber up for one of the biggest weeks in their 132-year history with a trip t the east coast to face struggling Goole.
Manager Darren Kelly looks likely to have four men out. Kyle Harrison is suspended for one game after getting five bookings. He should have served the ban in midweek but the game at Kendal was called off.
Ryan Ellison is injured, and it’s thought Chris Sutherland and Tyrone Gay will be rested so that they don’t aggravate knocks and have to miss the FA Cup first round tie against MK Dons.