DALE JOHNSON must sit out tomorrow (Saturday’s) match of the day — the Tameside derby between ASHTON UNITED and Hyde United at Hurst Cross.
The striker starts a suspension for being sent off in the last minute of the Robins’ game at Rushall Olympic two weeks ago, where they surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2, conceding all the goals in the last half-hour.
Defender Alex Frost is injured and midfielder Adam Morning is 50/50. Midfielder Paul Marshall could make his debut after signing on loan from Bradford Park Avenue.
Only James Burke is missing for HYDE UNITED. The full-back starts a two-match ban for picking up too many yellow cards. Striker Scott Spencer completes his own suspension and will be available to play against Buxton at Ewen Fields on Monday night.
The match, the first league meeting between the two Tameside rivals for nearly 13 years, has all the ingredients for a fascinating encounter. Ashton, although much higher in the Evo-stik NPL premier division table than the Tigers, have shown patchy form of late, yet snatched a very creditable 1-1 draw at Darlington on Tuesday with a last-minute striker from Ed Toner.
Until Monday, Hyde hadn’t won a league game since October 26 and were getting perilously close to the relegation places. After a very poor first half in which they trailed Whitby 1-0, they showed some rare passion after the break and came out 2-1 victors thanks to an Ayrton Bevins double.
Ashton’s key advantage could be the fact they will be playing at home. The Tiger’s won’t relish Hurst Cross and especially its heavy pitch.
In the first division north, MOSSLEY have a new man in the ranks as they head up to Preston to play Bamber Bridge. Defender George Mannion moves to Seel Park from Prescot Cables.
Caldon Henson and Dougie Carroll remain unavailable with hamstring injuries. Lee Wilshaw has left the club and Andy Fitzgerald has gone to Padiham to get some match practice.
Shell-shocked DROYLSDEN are away to Prescot and will be hoping for a change of fortune having conceded 21 goals in their last three games. Ben Hampson is the only man unavailable.
GLOSSOP NORTH END, 3-0 winners at Kendal Town in midweek, have no injuries or suspensions for their home clash with Brighouse Town.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s embarrassing 5-0 loss at Worcester City when they take on Vanarama North bottom club Telford United at Bower Fold.
Manager Liam Watson has a full-strength squad to choose from for the first of three home games in eight days, but could well make wholesale changes after a woeful performance at Aggborough.
Defenders John Shaw and Oliver Crowley may be in line for a recall to the starting line-up alongside forward Chris Simm.
Alex Brown returns for CURZON ASHTON who are home to Bradford Park Avenue. Jordan Wright is back after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Liam Tomsett is waiting for a scan on damaged ankle ligaments.