DEFENDER Oliver Crowley and striker Paul Ennis feature in the ASHTON UNITED squad for tomorrow (Saturday’s) National League North game at Darlington.
The two men — both ex-Stalybridge Celtic players — have been signed from Southport. Manager Jody Banim had hoped to include them in the team for the derby clash at Curzon Ashton but their registrations were not completed in time.
Banim, who described himself as ecstatic after the Boxing Day victory at the Tameside Stadium, sees the Darlington match as the second part of a trilogy which concludes on New Year’s Day when the Nash visit Hurst Cross.
He said: “Beating Curzon was part one. Now, I’m hoping we can go on and get two more positive results. But it’ll be tough at Darlington, especially as they had a magnificent 5-1 win over York on Wednesday.
“We need to start picking up points from the teams around us, and Darlington are within touching distance.”
Neighbours CURZON ASHTON, who are still without a win under new manager Mark Bradshaw, are home to second-placed Chorley.
The Magpies started the season in superb form, winning nine of their first ten league matches. But since the end of October they have started to falter and they have won only two of their last five games.
James Baillie misses tomorrow’s match along with long-term injuries Connor Hughes and Adam Morgan, as well as Niall Cummins who is on loan to Marine. All other players are available for selection including youth defender Josh Dickin and midfielder Danny Racchi signed from FC United.