Weekend Previews
DEFENDER Fraser Horsfall could make a surprise return for STALYBRIDGE CELTIC when they visit fellow strugglers Gainsborough Trinity for a six-point relegation clash in National League North tomorrow (Saturday).
The Huddersfield Town loanee was expected to be out for up to a month after picking up an ankle injury in the win over Halifax Town two weeks ago, but he may feature in a back line that kept its first Bower Fold clean sheet in 15 league games.
New boy Chris Baguley could make his first start in midfield as Bridge look to narrow the nine-point gap on Bradford Park Avenue at the bottom of the table.
Celtic face a spell of four games in nine days with a trip to Crewe Alexandra in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday, followed by a visit from Telford United before their crunch derby at the Tameside Stadium a week on Monday (January 30).
The shake-up John Flanagan unveiled at CURZON ASHTON on Monday has continued throughout the week.
Immediately after the 1-1 draw with Gloucester City, the Nash boss held meetings with Simon Woodford and Salford City striker Matt Warburton. Woodford was released, while it was believed Curzon’s hopes of signing Warburton had been dashed by his wage demands.
If this was true, the problems must have been resolved the following day. Warburton joined Curzon in midweek and the club are relying on him to take over the scoring mantle relinquished by Adam Morgan when he moved to Halifax just before Christmas.
Woodford, brother of Nash chief executive Natalie Atkinson, has joined Glossop who beat Ashton United to his signature. Fellow defender Andy Watson, who has recently regained fitness after a long injury lay-off, has moved to FC United.
Flanagan said: “I would like to thank both players for their major contribution to Curzon Ashton’s progress over the last five years. They are both still desperate to play on a regular basis and unfortunately I was unable to guarantee that.”
Tomorrow the Nash are home to seemingly invincible table-toppers Fylde.
In the Evo-stik NPL permit division, ASHTON UNITED face Halesowen at Hurst Cross on the back of a three-game winning run, their best spell of the season so far.
Fans were generally in agreement that the Robins’ second-half performance against Northwich Victoria in the Integro Cup on Tuesday was their most impressive of the campaign and Jody Banim wouldn’t disagree.
“Will (Haining) and I let loose on the lads a bit at half time and we got the response we needed. Vics had come at us like a train in the first few minutes but then they started to run out of steam. We ended up creating so many chances we could have scored seven or eight,” said the co-boss.
Striker Nico Collins was in the squad and retains his place tomorrow. However, Curzon have recalled central defender Danny Shaw.
Banim added: “It’s a massive blow to lose Danny and I have to say I’m a bit disappointed about it because when we signed him, Curzon said they wouldn’t just take him back. Just when it looked like we were getting a squad together to push on it’s been ripped apart again. It’s very frustrating but I suppose that’s the way it goes at this level.”
In the first division north, Bolton winger Ryan White has returned to HYDE UNITED who take on Prescot Cables at Ewen Fields. Recent signings Lawrence Hunter, Paddy Miller and Chris Sutherland could all make their home debuts, and hotshot striker Matt Beadle is fit again.
Midfielder Laurie Bell is unlikely to play as he is dual registered with Macclesfield Town and has been turning out for them. After several weeks on the injury list, striker Ayrton Bevins could get a place on the bench.
The Tigers have announced they will host Altrincham in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday, February 14.
Jordan Bove, Danny Byrnes and Darrhyl Mason could all be back for MOSSLEY at Ossett Albion. Returning striker Dougie Carroll has joined Wythenshawe Town to get some match practice.
New signing Simon Woodford is set to feature for GLOSSOP NORTH END who are home to Tadcaster Albion. Eddie Moran and Nicky Platt remain injured.
DROYLSDEN should be confident of extending their unbeaten start to 2017 as their visitors tomorrow are bottom of the table Burscough. Defender Clayton McDonald misses out with a quad strain and Adam Farrell has a damaged hamstring. Shaq Clarke and Phil Clarke are long-term absentees.