Pre Stalybridge Update

Feb 7, 2020 | Club News

An update with Andy Fearn has confirmed the following, ahead of this weekend’s home fixture with Stalybridge Celtic.

Lewis King has trained but it is still too early for him to be considered for selection, as he continues his recovery. Paul Bignot is available but will be suspended for the Whitby trip, following his red card against Buxton.  Joe Cuff will face a fitness test, before the game, due to his slight pull against Buxton.  We are delighted with the progress of Tom Thorley, after his long lay off, so he will be eased back in over the coming weeks. Bradley Grayson is available again, following his omission from selection, for the Buxton game due to our prior agreement. Daniel Hawkins has returned to Salford City after his loan period and we thank Dan for his efforts while at the club. Evan Garnett is still at Belper Town, on loan, with his ongoing situation being assessed.

We are regularly asked about our youth structure and can confirm youth and academy players are regularly invited to train with the first team, so we can assess and introduce young players to a first team environment.

Stalybridge Preview

Feb 6, 2020 | Club News

Stalybridge preview
It comes around again, and it’s the “old firm derby”. Okay it’s not the Glasgow version, but it adds a bit of spice for any Rangers v Celtic fixture. This season has good memories with our game at Bower Fold last October saw us record our first three points of the season. We now have the opportunity to record our first double of the season. Something potentially made a bit easy in the knowledge that Stalybridge have sold their leading marksman to South Shields. Darius Osei has moved, having scored 14 goals for Stalybridge this season. They will no doubt have an adequate replacement so cannot take too much into that but remember that in all competitions we are now 6 games unbeaten, so yet again something to build on if the great escape is possible.
When you look at the league table you would think that a side in 22nd and bottom spot at home to a side lying 8th with 20 more points, you would expect to be a banker away win. Especially when you see that Stalybridge away league record this season is 6 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats. However, in our last 5 league games we have one win, 3 draws and a defeat while Stalybridge have one draw and 4 defeats in their last five games. Can we catch them on a downward slide and add to their poor run of form? Our last two games have seen us get a well-deserved point away at 7th placed Witton and a dogged 10 man fight to secure a draw against Buxton.
Could Stalybridge be the next to fall to our revival. If you get to the game Saturday, you may be in a position to see that. Keep the faith, the great escape has only just started.

Games played on February 8th this century.
2003 Worcester H 2-1 Southern League

Buxton preview

Feb 3, 2020 | Club News

Buxton preview

As our manager Andy Fearn says, we are now 5 games unbeaten and we look to extend that against potential relegation colleagues, Buxton. Our draw at 7th pace Witton was well deserved, fighting back twice to level, against a side who the week before had taken all three points at table toppers South Shields. Witton scored two goals in the final minutes, much like Buxton who scored twice in the last couple of minutes to win at Grantham. The bottom of the league now looks very interesting as while we lie bottom, we are 8 points away from 4 sides on 25 points. Okay 3 of those 4 have games in hand on us, but a win over Buxton will close the gap and potentially suck 17th place Buxton back into the melting pot. It all adds to what could be an enthralling fixture.

On their travels Buxton have won 3, drawn 4 and lost 6. Interestingly 2 of the 3 wins were at relegation candidates Grantham and Matlock, so we need to be on our guard to maintain our run for the great escape. We still have to ply Buxton twice, Atherton twice along with Matlock and Ashton, all sides in that group we aim to catch, so it is anybody who could go down, and of course we hope it is not us in the final two places. The 20th placed side still could go down, but on current forecasts the NPL place should be save. However, those leagues like ours will go to the wire so it is 19th for guaranteed safety. We need the faith to ensure it is in our remit to gain that place.

Tuesday night I therefore very important to get another 500+ gate to cheer on the team. Since our return to the NPL we have lost this fixture 3 times, so it is essential we put an end to that sequence. See you Tuesday night.

Games played on February 4th this century
2006 Forest Green Rovers H 2-1 F A Trophy round 3
2017 Buxton H 1-2 Northern Premier League