WE’RE into the penultimate month of the Northern Premier League season, and MOSSLEY have ten games left to make sure of a play-off place in the first division west.
Past form suggests they should have an excellent chance of achieving their aim and possibly returning to the premier division for the first time since 2007. Since the start of December they have won eight out of 11 league games and lost only once — to title-favourites Atherton Collieries.
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Lilywhites are home to Prescot Cables and co-bosses Dave Wild and Terry Hincks have only one injury concern. Centre-half Adam Jones has a groin strain and will undergo a fitness test before the match. Ben Richardson starts a two-game suspension.
Portuguese striker Braulio “Eddie“ Maeico has been signed from Stalybridge Celtic to add some extra bite up front for GLOSSOP NORTH END. The Hillmen, who have notched only four league wins all season, must be hopeful of recording a fifth as they are away to bottom club Skelmersdale who lost 9-0 at Colwyn Bay last week.
Goalkeeper Matt Holmes moves to Surrey Street from Runcorn Linnets to replace Russ Saunders who has been released.
Otherwise, co-managers Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have no injuries or bans to worry about.
Midfielder Aaron Burgess — signed from Clitheroe — should feature for DROYLSDEN at Radcliffe.
Michael Brewster returns from suspension and, while there is a slight doubt over Shaq Clarke, scorer of the winning goal last Saturday, assistant-boss Aeon Lattie believes he will be fit to play.
In the premier division, STAYBRIDGE CELTIC will be without defenders Nathan Heath and Michael Clarke when they make the trip to high-flying Nantwich Town.
Heath sustained an injury in training last night (Thursday) and Clarke has left the club after failing to make the squad for recent games.
Midfielder Glenn Rule is also a doubt as Celtic look to arrest a slump in which they have lost their last three matches.
HYDE UNITED, who have lost three of their last five games, face the long and wearying journey to Workington with a range of absences and doubts.
Janni Lipka and Kyle Brownhill are both injured, and John McCombe and Dom Smalley face late fitness tests. On the plus side, Chib Chilaka is back after a three-game ban, Grant Roberts is fit, and manager Darren Kelly has his fingers crossed Deane Smalley will be back in contention after missing two matches.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON will have to try to pick up the pieces at play-off contenders Bradford Park Avenue after last week’s 6-0 home defeat by Altrincham.
Manager Mark Bradshaw, who must be wondering what happened to the long unbeaten run with which his side started 2019, has moved quickly to bolster his shellshocked squad by signing defender Joel Senior from FC United.
Striker Adam Morgan is back in light training and James Baillie is able to run again following his broken ankle.
ASHTON UNITED’s visit to Alfreton Town will surely qualify as one of manager Jody Banim’s must-win matches, even though they were able to win at top-of-the-table Chorley last Saturday.
Midtable Alfreton, who have also beaten Chorley in the last month, are only ten points ahead of the Hurst Cross side, who gave Kidderminster a run for their money in a fractious encounter on Tuesday before losing 1-0.
Ashton were unhappy with the referee throughout the match, which ended with Banim being shown a red card for complaining after his side were denied what he believed to be a clear penalty when Liam Tomsett was brought down late on.
Craig Hobson is unable to play as a result of the deal with Alfreton that allowed him to return to Hurst Cross.