THE moment of truth has arrived in ASHTON UNITED’s season. Manager Jody Banim believes they have to win their next two games if they are to have a realistic hope of avoiding relegation from National League North.
Both matches are against fellow strugglers from the drop zone. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Robins are home to FC United. In a week’s time they visit Nuneaton.
“We have to win the next two to have any chance of staying up. I’m not saying we’d definitely go down if we lost but it’d be very difficult so stay up,” Banim commented.
Two new faces will feature in the squad. Striker Jamie Reed has come in from Newtown and goalkeeper George McMahon has signed on loan from Burnley. But on the debit side, Josh Askew and James Jones have been recalled by Salford City. Sam Sheridan and Remy Howarth will also miss out.
Banim said: “I’ve got 16 players, but you only need 11. We’re confident. One place where we have a lot of options is up front where we have Matty Chadwick, Craig Hobson, Jamie Reed and Liam Martin.”
Despite Banim’s upbeat tone, Ashton face a difficult ordeal tomorrow. They have won only once in their last ten games while FC United won 3-2 at the Horsfall Stadium last week to knock Bradford Park Avenue off the top of the table.
CURZON ASHTON visit Chester, a club who outclassed them at the Tameside Stadium at the start of the season, winning 3-0.
Manager Mark Bradshaw picks from the same squad that has won all three of its matches in 2019.
Expectations that the Nash would release striker Niall Cummins have proved unfounded. His loan spell at Marine has been extended.
In the Northern Premier League hardly anyone has any injury worries.
HYDE UNITED have a clean bill of health for their premier division home clash with Witton Albion. They will be hoping to bounce right back after their surprise 5-2 defeat at Bamber Bridge but Witton have a strong away record and won 5-0 on the 3G pitch at Buxton in November.
Only long-term injury victims John Solomon-Davies (abductor) and Elliott Cooke (ankle ligaments) will be missing when STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to in-form Marine.
Manager Simon Haworth will be looking for his team to build on last week’s win over Hednesford, which was Celtic’s first in seven attempts at Bower Fold.
In the first division west, GLOSSOP NORTH END welcome 18-year-old Declan Baldwin on loan from Oldham Athletic. He can play wide or in central midfield.
Frank Jones returns for the Hillmen who are home to Ramsbottom, midweek victors at Weymouth in an FA Trophy replay.
MOSSLEY, hoping to extend their impressive winning run at top of the table Radcliffe, have no injuries although Steve Mason is suspended. Striker Mike Fish needs one goal to reach his 100 for the club.
DROYLSDEN head for Widnes with a full-strength squad.