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NEW signing Ethan Beckford comes into the reckoning tomorrow (Saturday) when HYDE UNITED face Pitching In south/east division side Frickley Athletic at Ewen Fields in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
While the Tigers have a respectable goals tally, they have occasionally looked a little blunt up front and manager Dave McGurk must be hoping Beckford is the man to sharpen things up. He could enter the side in place of Louis Myers who misses out with a damaged knee.
Beckford, who is the son of former Mossley boss Jason and nephew of 1980s Manchester City forward Darren, has played most of his football in North America with Toronto and Pennsylvania State University. He made one appearance for Curzon Ashton last season.
Wide-man Chinedu Uche is fit to play after a sore back forced him to be substituted in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Mickleover — Hyde's first game after an enforced two-week covid lay-off.
So far this season, GLOSSOP NORTH END have found themselves facing the top clubs from their division week after week. It gets no easier tomorrow when their opponents at the Amdec Forklifts Stadium are unbeaten first division north/west leaders Workington.
Midfielder Harry Freedman joins the squad from Stalybridge Celtic on a gentleman's agreement similar to the one that applied to Kyle Hawley who was recalled to Bower Fold ten days ago. A former Halifax Town player, Harry is the son of Scotland and Crystal Palace manager Dougie.
Devon Matthews, who has impressed with strong and effective displays in central defence, is available after coming off last week.
Lee Wilshaw, Ali Sheriff and Yves Zama have all suffered minor setbacks to their recoveries.
The return of Mike Brewster, Tom Bentham and goalkeeper Greg Hartley, offers some hope to ASHTON UNITED who welcome Clitheroe from the first division north/west, but the list of absences remains a long one
Sam Sheridan is sidelined with a possible broken bone in his foot and is awaiting scan results. Stavros Tsperes (ankle) and Sam Baird (groin) are also out. Mike Raynes and Chris Dagnall are suspended.
Former Stafford Rangers defender Connor Taylor has been signed on a month's loan from Stoke City.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC travel to in-form Marine in confident mood after their morale-boosting first league win of the season against Morpeth on Tuesday.
Injuries deprive manager Simon Haworth of Damani Holmes and Ben Woods while left-back James Ellison is unavailable as he is on loan from Marine and not allowed to play against his parent club.
Keano Deacon is 50/50 to return from a damaged hamstring that has kept him out for a month.
Each winning club in the FA Trophy receives £3,750. The losers get £1,000.
MOSSLEY boss Dave Fish is likely to name a similar line-up to the one that drew at Kendal for the visit to Widnes. Ben Richardson (injury) and Andy Keogh (illness) are both ruled out.
Steve Cunningham is asking people not to take the National League North table into account as his CURZON ASHTON side prepare to meet Darlington at the Tameside Stadium. Although the Quakers are in 20th place without a win, they have only played two matches.
"The table presents a false picture. Darlington have done very well in the FA Cup and when I watched them play Cambridge City they showed a great attacking threat," said the Nash manager.
"They've also boosted their squad with a few signings and got a couple of injured players back. It's not going to be easy."
Midfielder Robbie Evans returns after an enforced covid-related break but in what Cunningham describes as a bit of a blow, defender Marcus Poscha remains sidelined with a back complaint.
He added: "We only have a small squad and some players are feeling the strain of playing 90 minutes three times a week. I'll never use injuries as an excuse but we will be bringing some people in over the next ten days to give us a bit of competition, a bit more depth, and to let us give some lads a rest.
"But there's no rush. They have to be right for the club and for what we're trying to achieve here."
Darlington boss Alun Armstrong is looking forward to visiting the Tameside Stadium. He explained: "The pitch its the best in the league and it should suit us. But anything can happen on the day, so we’ve got to make sure we’re at it, concentrate on ourselves and get the job done. We’re in a decent place but we need three points.
“Curzon have strengthened a lot better than some expected. They’ve brought in players who would get in any National League North team, so it’s going to be a tough game. They usually bring in young lads on loan and have a go."
Armstrong remains without the injured Will Hatfield and Dave Atkinson but Portuguese-born attacking midfielder Erico Sousa, signed from Tadcaster Albion, is in line to make his debut.