CURZON ASHTON will be hoping history repeats itself when they face Boston United at York Street tomorrow (Saturday) in National League North.
The Nash, who have slumped into the relegation places, have won only once since October 21, when they beat Boston at the Tameside Stadium.
Except for Joe Guest, who will be serving the second instalment of a three-game suspension, and long-term injury victims Ryan Brooke, Paul Marshall and Jordan Wright, manager John Flanagan has a full squad to choose from.
In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, ASHTON UNITED will be unveiling two new players for their home clash with Coalville Town. Sam Sheridan is a central midfielder signed from Altrincham, and defender Lewis Baines is on loan from Fleetwood until the end of the season.
Striker Deane Smalley, who is on the way back from a severe injury, will not figure but manager Jody Banim is very impressed with his progress in training.
“Deane’s a few weeks away from playing,” the Robins boss explained, “so we may need to get him some games elsewhere. But he’s been flying in training. He’s looked really sharp and he’s got his enjoyment back again.”
In terms of the Coalville match, Banim added: “We need to get back to winning ways tomorrow after our midweek defeat at Moss Lane when we just didn’t play well enough. We didn’t pass the ball properly and certain players didn’t carry out the jobs asked of them.
“I fully expect Altrincham to win the league, so it’s a question of who fills in behind them.”
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to Mickleover — where there will be a pitch inspection at 10.30am — still looking for their first away win of the season.
Celtic, who have claimed only two points on their travels, will again be missing defender Ross Killock with the calf injury that has kept him out since mid-November.
Skipper Danny Morton picked up a knock in Tuesday’s home win over Stafford Rangers but it expected to play.
At Surrey Street, in the first division north, GLOSSOP NORTH END face DROYLSDEN. Both sides are in the middle of a patch of inconsistent form and badly need a win.
For the Hillmen, Midfielder Jack Higgs and defender Brad Roscoe are both ruled out with hamstring injuries. Adam Jones is struggling with a virus.
Dylan Smith and Ben Barber both face fitness tests for the Bloods. John Shaw comes back into the reckoning and possibly Alex Frost too.
Having registered their first win of 2018, MOSSLEY face a very difficult afternoon when they entertain form side Scarborough who are second in the table having won their last seven league matches.
Former skipper Andy Keogh should feature, having returned from Trafford. Teenage midfielder Harri Lovatt comes in on a work-experience loan from Shrewsbury Town. Keeper Oliver Mills has left Seel Park and joined New Mills.
HYDE UNITED face Colne at Ewen Fields with a fully fit squad. The Lancashire side have taken maximum points from their last five matches.