“WE will be bouncing back” is the defiant claim from MOSSLEY co-boss Dave Wild after his side suffered a rare defeat in midweek when they went down 4-0 at Kidsgrove.
Until Wednesday, the Lilywhites had lost only one game since the start of December, and had not conceded more than two goals since January 19 when they beat Radcliffe 4-3.
Tomorrow (Saturday) they pick up their bid to win promotion from the Evo-stik NPL first division west when they face Newcastle Town at Seel Park. Wild and Terry Hincks — who have just marked a year as Mossley’s joint-managers — have a full squad to choose from now that Ben Richardson has completed a suspension.
Utility man Dieter Downey has signed a contract to stay with the club next season.
DROYLSDEN, who are home to Trafford, made four transfer deadline signings. The new faces are Clitheroe striker Harry Pratt, and three men who have played at the Butchers Arms before: defender Ben Barber and midfielders Andreas Bianga and Danny Hewitt.
Their only doubt tomorrow is Sefton Gonzales who faces a fitness test in the morning.
GLOSSOP NORTH END, who again have no Saturday match, have also made a clutch of signings.
Huddersfield Town striker George Danaher was recently at Curzon Ashton, and Stockport County forward Szymon Czubik played for Mossley earlier in the season. Defender Markell Foulds joins the Hillmen from Salford City. They have also signed Poynton keeper Jake O’Regan as cover.
Commenting on the fixture situation, co-boss Peter Band said: “We really shouldn’t be without a game on the last Saturday of March, but it’s something the league have decided because of the way the programme was at the end of February.
“I’m not happy because it leaves us facing seven games in 27 days in April, including two Tuesday matches.”
In the premier division, influential defender Greg Wilkinson is the only doubt for STALYBRIDGE CELTIC who cross the Pennines to face league leaders Farsley Celtic. They will be heading to Yorkshire in the hope of building on the battling performance they produced last week to win at Scarborough.
Will Tom Pratt play is the question being asked by HYDE UNITED fans ahead of the home clash with Stafford Rangers? His return would provide a welcome boost for a side that has lost four of its last five matches.
Pratt faces a fitness test in the morning. Other doubts are Nicky Platt, Janni Lipka, John McCombe and Ryan Crowther.
New signing Darren McKnight, a midfielder/defender who started out with Barnsley and has represented Northern Ireland at under-17 and under-19 level, is expected to figure. His non-league clubs include Stalybridge Celtic, Glossop and Bamber Bridge.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON have doubts over Olly Crankshaw and Sean Miller as they prepare to visit Boston United.
Louis Wardle, another lad who can play in defence or midfield, has joined the Nash on loan from Barnsley where he was the longest-serving academy player. He made his debut from the bench in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat a Guiseley.
Striker Adam Morgan is finally back in full training after a long lay-off with a stomach injury.
Curzon’s reverse at Guiseley may have dealt a mortal blow to neighbours ASHTON UNITED’s hopes of avoiding relegation. It has left them six points behind the Yorkshire side who have a game in hand, and with only six matches left to play.
Tomorrow the Robins are away to fellow strugglers Leamington in a game they really have to win if they are to have any hope of survival.
They head to Warwickshire without Ollie Crowley, Luke Ashworth and Liam Martin. However, Connor Dimaio is available and keeper George McMahon should return after being called up for Republic of Ireland under-19s duty.
Manager Jody Banim signed two defender ahead of the transfer deadline: Toby Lees (Harrogate Town) and Adam Freeland (Buxton).