PLEASED as he is with MOSSLEY’s 100 per cent start to the league season, co-boss Dave Wild is urging fans not to get carried away. He continually stresses that only three matches have been played and there’s another 35 to go.
“I’m really pleased with what’s happened but people need to bear in mind that there are going to be losses and bumps in the road. The big thing will be how we deal with them when they occur,” he explained.
“Considering we’ve got so many new players, it’s been a nice surprise to see us click so quickly. But I’m not jumping from the rooftops.
“It’s true that if someone had said to me we would win our first three games I would have laughed in their face. It’s great to have made such a good start but the fact is our performances haven’t been brilliant so far and we shouldn’t have beaten Widnes. The fact we’ve been winning has covered that up to an extent.
“However, we’ve got a decent squad. The lads are almost managing themselves on the pitch and the team is full of leaders. They’re all demanding more and more from each other and buying into the attractive, attacking style of football that will have people wanting to come to our games.
“There’s plenty of room for improvement. It may have been a great start but there’s a long way to go and we have to remember we’re only little Mossley.”
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Lilywhites welcome Ramsbottom United to Seel Park for an Evo-stik NPL first division west clash. Wild has a full-strength squad to call on with, as he puts it, no knocks or niggles.
Defender Steve Mason, who was signed from Trafford, could make his first start having been a substitute at the Butchers Arms on Monday.
DROYLSDEN take a step into the unknown with their first visit to Market Drayton, and they do so knowing that Alex Frost faces several weeks on the sidelines. The defender has severe injuries to both his groin and hip.
Ryan Jennings is also hurt but Shaq Clarke and Michael Brewster are available.
There’s some welcome good news for GLOSSOP NORTH END who are still without a single point. Matty Russell, who was stretchered off during Monday’s 4-1 home defeat by Colne, is available for tomorrow’s trip to Kidsgrove.
Co-boss Mark Canning said: “Matty trained on Thursday and it seems things aren’t as bad as we first thought. We have a full squad to select from so I’m glad to say everything’s okay.”
The Hillmen have made two dual-registration signings from Curzon Ashton: centre-back Oliver Thornley and striker Tyrell McKenzie.”
In the premier division, HYDE UNITED have brought in two new players ahead of Scarborough’s visit to Ewen Fields.
Striker Tom Greaves, who resigned as manager of FC United earlier this week, is a replacement for Chib Chilaka who sustained a groin injury in the FA Cup tie with Sheffield. Greaves joined the Rebels in 2012-13. His 103 goals in 273 appearances make him the club’s leading scorer.
The Tigers’ other signing is striker/winger Astley Mulholland who was most recently at Barrow.
Chris Sutherland is still out. Jordan Fagbola and Ross Daly face late fitness tests.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC are likely to be without Glenn Rule and Luke Wall when they travel to face former manager Steve Burr at Stafford Rangers.
Club officials were racing against time today to ensure that the correct paperwork was in place for the two to make their long-awaited debut, but the most likely scenario is that they will be available on Tuesday when newly-promoted South Shields make their first visit to Bower Fold.
Otherwise, Simon Haworth has a full-strength squad to choose from as the Bridge attempt to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON face bottom club Nuneaton Town at the Tameside Stadium.
Chris Downey is the only doubt, having picked up a slight groin strain in training. James Baillie is fit after missing the Kidderminster and Chorley games.
ASHTON UNITED visit third-placed Telford United, and manager Jody Banim is determined his side won’t surrender a 2-0 lead for a third time.
“We’ve dropped six points against Kidderminster, Southport and Darlington. That means we’re 16th when we could be fourth,” he commented.
“It’s all ifs, buts and maybes but it shows the fine margins we’re dealing with.
“We’re creating chances and scoring but we’ve conceded 17 goals in seven games. We’ve got to cut out the mistakes. If we can do that we’re not far away.”
Sam Sheridan is ruled out of the match with a groin strain. Matty Chadwick is unavailable.