ROBBIE EVANS makes a welcome return to the CURZON ASHTON squad for tomorrow (Saturday’s) National League North clash with Telford United at the Tameside Stadium.
The midfielder comes back into contention alongside Mo Ali, which means manager Mark Bradshaw’s only remaining absentee is Oliver Thornley who is struggling to shake off an ankle injury.
Telford, who have lost three of their last six matches and occupy 16th place in the table, may possibly present the Nash with a chance to end their run of 14 games without a win which has taken them down into the bottom two.
HYDE UNITED, who are at the foot of the BetVictor NPL premier division form table with only two points from their last six matches visit the club at the top, Lancaster City, who have taken 16 points and beat title favourites South Shields last week.
Injured players are starting to regain fitness, and manager Dave McGurk should be able to call on Oran Thompson, Liam Tongue and Kyle Brownhill. However, Paddy Lane again misses out and Tom Pratt is described as doubtful.
Veteran midfielder Greg Wilkinson, who made his first appearance for STALYBRIDGE CELTIC in 2008, has left Bower Fold. Otherwise, the Bridge are at full strength for their trip to Bamber Bridge.
ASHTON UNITED’s FA Trophy second qualifying round tie at Matlock has to be in severe doubt even though the Derbyshire club have said their pitch is 50/50 and have arranged an inspection for 10am. Large parts of the town have been flooded by the very heavy rain of the past week.
The Robins have signed 19-year-old striker Tom Carr from Altrincham-based Cheshire League club Broadheath Central. “He’s been training with us for a couple of weeks and I’ve been really impressed. I think he’ll be a really good player,” commented manager Jody Banim.
Banim has plans to sign another teenager and promised more player movement over the next fortnight.
In the first division north west, DROYLSDEN have re-signed striker Reece Webb-Foster from Ossett United in time to play against Dunston UTS. Shaq Clarke is the only doubt after picking up a knock in training.
The Butchers Arms pitch has held up well and the club expect it to be playable. An inspection has been arranged for 8.30am.
MOSSLEY, who took a point from Prescot Cables last week, are home to bottom club Pickering Town. The game is unlikely to be as straightforward as it sounds as the Lilywhites are the only side promoted Pickering have beaten in the league this season.
Manager Dave Wild says he has a full squad to choose from. Astley Mulholland and Cheick Thiam have been sent to Stockport Town for a month to get some game time.
In the first division south west, GLOSSOP NORTH END are down to visit Sheffield but the game has to be in doubt after the deluge the city has suffered. An inspection of the Dronfield Road pitch has been arranged for 9am.
Co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have signed Bolton Wanderers under-23s defender Will Hartshorne. Moussa Samassa and Joel Mills are available having completed their suspensions.