TOMORROW (Saturday’s) match programme hangs in the balance. Heavy rain forecast for tonight might wash away the snow but matches — especially those in the Tameside area — must be in the balance.
Prospective match of the day has to be Salford City v ASHTON UNITED in the Evo-stik NPL premier division. After a shaky couple of games the Robins have reasserted themselves in the race for a play-off place, drawing at Darlington and then beating Hyde and Whitby.
It could be that they are going to Moor Lane at the right time. The Ammies, who were hot favourites for promotion at the start of the season, have lost three of their last five fixtures, two of them to Darlington. Ashton are poised to overtake them if they can win their games in hand.
Suspended striker Dale Johnson misses the match but otherwise Paul Phillips and Steve Halford have a full squad to choose from.
Salford have a pitch inspection lined up for tomorrow morning.
Gary Lowe is struggling to put out a HYDE UNITED team for the game at Rushall Olympic. Scott Spencer, who scored the two goals that beat Buxton on Monday, had to drop out of training last night with an injured knee and is listed as doubtful.
Fellow striker Ayrton Bevins also has a bad knee but the list doesn’t stop there. James Burke, who has completed a suspension, is ruled out with a damaged back. Will Reeves has a bad back too, Adam Jones needs a fitness test on an injured Achilles tendon, and Ben Holmes has a deadleg and was unable to train last night.
“I’ve heard the snow hasn’t really affected Rushall. It looks like we’re going to play but this is one game we could do with missing,” said the Tigers boss.
In Vanarama North, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have a pitch inspection lined up for 9am but it’s looking very unlikely that their game with Alfreton Town will go ahead. The Bower Fold pitch is covered with a thick layer of melting snow.
Bridge have signed 22-year-old midfielder Charlie Joyce on loan from National League leaders Southport. He effectively replaces Bohan Dixon who has been sold to Fylde for an undisclosed fee.
CURZON ASHTON are hoping to cross the Pennines to play Bradford Park Avenue for the second time in eight days. The Horsfall Stadium pitch will be inspected at 10.30 and Avenue have put out a call for volunteers to clear snow.
In the Evo-stik NPL first division north, GLOSSOP NORTH END have a full squad available for their visit to Burscough. MOSSLEY should be home to Spennymoor which means there will have to be an early pitch inspection at Seel Park. Kyle McGonigle is available but Caldon Henson and Dougie Carroll are still injured.
Ben Barber has left DROYLSDEN at the end of his youth loan and has returned to Stoke City.
The Bloods are headed to Farsley Celtic where the Throstle’s Nest pitch is said to be in acceptable condition but an early inspection is planned.
Manager Dave Pace is believed to have a couple of signings in the pipeline.