DO National League North leaders Chorley have a chink in their armour? Recent results suggest they might and Jody Banim is hoping his ASHTON UNITED side can find it when they visit Victory Park tomorrow (Saturday).
At the start of January the Magpies were held 1-1 by Hereford, and they have lost two of the three games they have played this month, including a 2-1 defeat at Alfreton a week ago.
Banim said: “We know it’ll be difficult but we’re going there with the intention of stopping them. Hopefully we can impact on them in the final third.
“In training last night (Thursday) we spent an hour or so on shape. I don’t think they’ll change anything for us and we’re expecting 3-5-2.
“We’ve just got to be disciplined, make sure everyone knows their jobs, and hopefully we can nick something. Alfreton have shown it’s possible to beat them and we’ve got some good players. On Tuesday we scored three goals against Telford who are in the top six.”
Banim has two players out with injury: Liam Martin (knee) and midfielder Connor Dimaio (ankle) who has just been signed from Stockport County. Matty Chadwick has been released and is expected to sign for Altrincham.
Mark Lees, who broke his jaw in a training-ground accident in December, has gone to Stalybridge Celtic to become fully match fit.
Having suffered their first defeat of 2019 last week, when they lost at Brackley, CURZON ASHTON face local rivals Altrincham at the Tameside Stadium as they bid to regain their lost momentum.
Chris Rowney returns to Mark Bradshaw’s squad after being unavailable last weekend. Danny Racchi has joined Hednesford and Connor Hughes has gone to Atherton Collieries in a month’s loan to regain match fitness.
In the Evo-stik NPL premier division, Tom Pratt makes a welcome return for HYDE UNITED who are home to Whitby Town. However, Chib Chilaka remains suspended and Grant Roberts is still injured.
Kyle Harrison has been transferred to Radcliffe. Luke Porritt has joined Tadcaster Albion on a month’s loan.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC are at full strength for the visit of Lancaster City. Mark Lees, who made 70 appearances for the Bridge in the years before 2013, when Jim Harvey was manager, has returned on loan from Ashton United.
In the first division west, DROYLSDEN are without Ryan Hopper and the suspended Michael Brewster for the visit of Clitheroe. GLOSSOP NORTH END, who recorded their first league win of 2019 last weekend, are at full strength for the visit of promotion-chasing Radcliffe, and MOSSLEY have everyone available for their game at Runcorn Linnets.