“WE’RE down at the minute but not out,” is ASHTON UNITED manager Jody Banim’s defiant message ahead of tomorrow (Saturday’s) home match against BetVictor NPL premier division leaders Matlock Town.
On paper, the Robins stand no chance. While they are bottom of the pile with only one point from four games, their visitors top of the table with a maximum return.
However, Banim is undaunted. He commented: “As soon as we get that first win we’ll have that monkey off our back and then we can really kick on. We’re a good squad with goals up top and experience at the back.”
The goals could be more important than ever tomorrow as Matlock have conceded only once in their four victories.
Two new players will feature for Ashton. Midfielder Callum Dolan has been signed on a month’s loan from Oldham Athletic and former Manchester City and Swansea defender Curt Obeng joins from Nuneaton.
In what Banim describes as the shortest signing in history, defender Dom Smalley has rejected a return to Hurst Cross and decided to stay at Wythenshawe Town. Two so far unnamed players have been told their future lies away from Ashton and Banim is hoping to sign a midfielder.
HYDE UNITED, the season’s surprise package so far, have a fully-fit squad to face Stafford Rangers at Ewen Fields as they bid to win their fourth consecutive game.
Reserve goalkeeper James Hodges broke a wrist during the warm-up on Monday and is likely to be out for at least two months. He will be undergoing surgery next week.
A victory at Buxton would mean STALYBRIDGE CELTIC recording three league wins in a row for the first time since March of last year. Manager Simon Haworth has no injury worries.
Their lively start to the National League North season at an end, CURZON ASHTON visit Guiseley having failed to win any of their last three matches. They make the trip to Yorkshire without Mo Ali, who is on World Cup duty with Somalia, but 18-year-old wing-back Elliot Cooke, who made his debut against Spennymoor, retains his place in the squad.
GLOSSOP NORTH END, unbeaten in three, go to Belper Town in BetVictor South East.
French defender Moussa Samassa, signed from Ramsbottom — and on a dual registration with Curzon — is expected to go straight into the team.
Tom Rose has left Surrey Street. Kyle Wych has returned to Oldham.
In the north-west division, a home victory over Kendal would go a long way to helping MOSSLEY erase memories of last weekend when they surrendered a 2-0 lead over Widnes to draw in the FA Cup and then lost 2-1 to Droylsden.
Craig Roddan (work), Josh Ollerenshaw (army service) and Ryan Brooke (gash) come back into the reckoning and Jes Uchebegulam has been recalled from Stockport Town. Dieter Downey, Gary Gee and Paul Marshall are all unavailable.
Diego Lattie and Andy Langford are both doubtful for DROYLSDEN, at Brighouse, after suffering head injuries on Monday. Mike Brewster and Shaq Clarke face fitness tests and Lee Neville is sidelined with a damaged ankle.