Weekend Non-league Football Previews
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be looking to build on their morale-boosting New Year’s Day win over Lancaster City when they take on Witton Albion at Bower Fold in the Evo-stik NPL premier division tomorrow (Saturday).
Steve Burr’s men fired in four unanswered second-half goals as they came from behind to win 5-2 and that was despite losing influential defender Ross Killock who sustained a calf injury in the pre-match warm-up.
Killock is out of the Witton encounter and is unlikely to be fit when Celtic travel to Alsager Town in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday looking for their first away win of the season. Burr has been boosted, however, by the news that midfielder Greg Wilkinson has recovered from an ankle injury and returns to the squad.
Manager Jody Banim has two players missing for ASHTON UNITED’s home clash with Marine as Matt Chadwick and Alex Johnson remain injured. On-loan striker Jack Dyche has returned to parent club Scunthorpe United.
Banim revealed that he has plans to make signings saying: “I have a few irons in the fire and there could be two new players by this time next week.”
Commenting on the abandoned game at Buxton he added: “It was very disappointing as we were 1-0 up and playing really well. I think we would have won and if we’d done that we would have gone fifth with games in hand.”
Three players return for CURZON ASHTON who travel to Telford United in National League North looking for their first league win in four matches.
Oliver Thornley has recovered from a virus, Tyrell McKenzie is available following a thigh strain, and Richie Baker’s Achilles problem has cleared up. However, Ryan Brook has a back problem and is rated only 50/50.
In the Evo-stik NPL first division north, HYDE UNITED welcome Goole who, as Goole Town, were the first club they played as founder-members of the Northern Premier League 50 years ago.
The game ended in a 3-3 draw and Denis Middleton, one of the players who scored for the Tigers back in August, 1968, may be in the Ewen Fields crowd.
Striker Karl Jones is still sidelined and is joined in the treatment room by Chris Sutherland whose comeback has been cut short.
After two months out, Jack Tuohy returns for MOSSLEY who are home to Bamber Bridge. Sam Howell has been released so that he can find a new club and regain match fitness.
DROYLSDEN meet Scarborough in a play-off six-pointer at the Butchers Arms. Their only absentee is suspended midfielder Danny Ventre.
Adam Jones and Lewis Lacy could both come back for GLOSSOP NORTH END at Radcliffe but Gary Gee is out for the season following groin surgery.
Co-boss Paul Phillips is back from a winter break and takes over in goal. Elliot Wynne, whose fumble cost the Hillmen their second goal at Hyde on New Year’s Day has been recalled by parent club Fylde as cover.
Constant rain over the last few days means that some games could be in doubt. Morning inspections have already been announced by Droylsden and Stalybridge, and this afternoon Ashton United were appealing for volunteers to work on the pitch.