CURZON ASHTON ought to have the measure of Nuneaton Town when the two sides meet at the Tameside Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) in the first round of the FA Trophy.
The Nash have already beaten the Vanarama North leaders this season, but more than that Nuneaton are very similar to the Ilkeston team Curzon defeated in last season’s NPL play-off final. Kevin Wilson and Simon Chettle moved to Liberty Way during the summer, taking several Ilkeston players with them.
Manager John Flanagan said: “They like to get the ball down and pass, which means they always give you a chance. Nuneaton are a good side and I have a lot of respect for them but I don’t think they’ll win the title because they’re young and I believe they lack experience.
“We have to be confident because of our record against Kevin and Simon, but I suppose they’ll feel that by the law of averages they’re due a win against us. The fact that they lost in midweek doesn’t help us either.
“But maybe their being top of the table might will. If we get our noses in front they might decide that promotion is more important to them than the Trophy.”
Kevin Wilson seemed to echo those thoughts when he told the Nuneaton News: “We did not play well when we lost at Curzon and we are hoping to improve on that. It is a free one for us in a way, what with it being a Trophy tie.
“We know that the pressure is off us. We would love to get through, for the club, for the players, for the fans. But we know this competition is a bonus for us this season.”
Ryan Brooke returns for Curzon after completing a suspension, and Connor Hampson is available following a hamstring injury. Andy Watson has signed for Trafford on a dual registration to gain some match fitness.
Nuneaton welcome back midfielder Shane Byrne after a three-match suspension.
If Curzon face a tough task, neighbours ASHTON UNITED have a mountain to climb. They have to visit former Football League club Macclesfield Town who are ninth in the Vanarama national division.
Co-boss Paul Phillips fully accepts that the Silkmen are hot favourites to win but believes he and partner Steve Halford have spotted some weaknesses in their style of play.
“They’re two divisions above us and we’ll be going to the Moss Rose as massive underdogs. But the way we’re playing at the moment I don’t think we need to be scared of anyone. Just lately we’ve been managing to win even when we haven’t played too well,” said Phillips.
“Steve and I watched Macc lose to Eastleigh on Tuesday. They’re a good, organised team but we did spot some weaknesses and we hope to go to their place and exploit them.”
A major plus for the Robins is the availability of striker Dale Johnson who has been struggling with a hamstring problem for the last month. However, Phillips has been more than pleased with the performances of Martin Pilkington.
“Pilky got two against Sutton Coldfield but he might have had five — and that’s not a criticism. He’s stepped up to the plate and been fantastic for us. In the last few games he’s been out of this world,” commented Phillips, adding: “I’ll be surprised if people don’t come knocking on the door for him soon.”
Matt Chadwick and Jody Banim miss the tie with hamstring pulls but everyone else is available.
Ashton may be coming up against the Silkmen at the right time as there are doubts about their top scorer, former Curzon star Kristian Dennis.
He is injured as is midfielder Theo Bailey-Jones. Defender Neill Byrne is suspended. Midfielder Danny Whitehead missed the Eastleigh game and defender Dan Cowan is doubtful.
Manager John Askey has described the Trophy tie as a welcome break that might offer a breathing space to get players fit for the league game with Welling.
Each winning club received £5,000 in prize money.
In Vanarama North, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat at Bradford Park Avenue with the first of four festive home fixtures.
Harrogate Town are the visitors to Bower Fold and manager Liam Watson will be looking for a vast improvement from his charges after a performance that saw them register only one effort on goal in the entire 90 minutes.
He will be without Alec Mudimu (suspended) and long-term injury victim Danny Wisdom. Leading scorer Jack Higgins is a doubt, but Watson will be bolstered by the return from suspension of November player of the month Aaron Chalmers.
New signing Daniel Burns impressed on his cameo substitute appearance at the Horsfall Stadium and could be in line for his full debut as the Bridge look to arrest a slide that has seen them lose seven of their last ten games.
HYDE UNITED welcome Buxton to Ewen Fields in the Evo-stik NPL premier division. Dave Birch returns after missing Monday’s Manchester Premier Cup defeat but Andy Pearson and Reece Gray serve the second instalment of a three-match ban.
In the first division north, assistant-manager Aeon Lattie has welcomed a first selection headache of the season for DROYLSDEN who face Bamber Bridge at the Butchers Arms. Domaine Rouse has completed his suspension and Brandon Zibaka is back in training. Ed Dryden is banned.
New signings Scott Cheetham (FC United) and Bobby Lofthouse (Stockport County), both midfielders, are set to play for MOSSLEY at Farsley. Tom Pratt returns but Kyle McGonigle, Andy Keogh and Michael Thomas are all suspended. Mitchell Bryant has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.
Fresh from their Derbyshire Senior Cup win over Chesterfield, GLOSSOP NORTH END are home to Ossett Town with a full squad.