E-mail Article Print this story

Related Links

Saturday's Blue Square North Preview

League leaders Droylsden take on new-boys Corby on Saturday while Southport host lowly Farsley Celtic.

After a good start to the season, The Steelmen have fallen off the early pace with three defeats in their last five games, seeing them drop to seventh in the table and they face a tricky test away from home this weekend.

The Bloods, meanwhile have 21 points from their opening 10 games and despite drawing 2-2 with Stalybridge in their last outing, they recorded high scoring wins in their two previous encounters.

Corby Town boss Graham Drury is challenging striker Steve Diggin to keep up his impressive scoring rate after he bagged two in the defeat to Fleetwood Town last Saturday.

Drury told the Evening Telegraph: "They tend to come in flurries with him (Diggin) so hopefully he can stay in that sort of form for the next couple of games."

But the Rockingham Triangle manager does have a few injury concerns. Leon Hibbert and Dean West both miss out through injury, while both Gavin Strachan and Tommy Jaszczun are further doubts to make the tie.

"We're a bit low on numbers at the moment but we'll just have to cope with that and manage as best we can", Drury concluded.

Droylsden boss Dave Pace will hope his side continue where they left off in the second half of the Celtic match as they clawed back from 2-0 down to secure a point.

With zero points from their opening ten games, having erased the 10-point deficit they started the season with, but on the back of four successive defeats, Farsley Celtic boss Neil Parsley has said the match against Southport will test his players, who have been affected by the adverse situation surrounding the club.

Parsley told the Evening Post: "I was disappointed last Saturday; for the first time, heads dropped.

"You can't ignore the off-the-field problems - since I've been here, it's been when and if the players are going to get paid. When those things happen behind the scenes, things creep into conversations.

"The players need to be enjoying their football and for it to be a welcome distraction.

"It doesn't get any tougher than going there (Southport). They are well marshalled by their manager and are a quality side at this level. If we get anything, it will be a bonus."

Parsley will be without the suspended Patrece Liburd while Dave Pickering is a doubt with a knee injury and Dominic Krief is struggling with a bruised toe.

Hyde welcome Fleetwood Town to Ewen Fields on Saturday but will not relish the return of former striker Gareth Seddon, who has scored four goals in his first two games for Town including a hat-trick against Corby last weekend.

Potential league winners, Town have also recently added former Blackpool, Coventry and Port Vale midfielder Claus Jorgensen to their squad, who will no doubt offer The Tigers a tough challenge. Neil Tolson's side are currently in 12th place, having picked up 12 points from their opening 10 games.

Eastwood Town have themselves added to their ranks ahead of the AFC Telford home fixture this Saturday with former Hartlepool United goalkeeper Jan Budtz, Kings Lynn centre back Craig McAughtrie and Telford's longest serving player; versatile defender Jimmy Turner, having joined the club.

But boss Paul Cox is wary of a backlash against Telford because of the Bucks' 4-0 defeat by Alfreton Town last week.

He told This is Derbyshire: "When a club of the size and stature of Telford get soundly beaten, you can guarantee there will be changes.

"I know (manager) Rob Smith very well from his days at Willenhall and he will be looking for us to be on the end of a backlash."

Telford have also bolstered their side with former Mansfield Town defensive midfielder Gavin Hurren and striker Stuart Nicholson both joining on loan from Tamworth for one month, having also signed forward Lyesden Christie from King's Lynn.

Cox continued: "They have brought in three players and hope this will lead to a change in fortune."

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law is hoping his side can maintain their unbeaten home form against Stalybridge Celtic. The Reds have three wins and two draws at The Impact Arena while eighth-placed Celtic, who are three points behind their weekend's rivals in sixth place, have fared well on their travels with three wins, one draw and one loss.

Reds boss Nicky Law has doubts over midfielder Mattie Burke, who is suffering from an ankle injury, while Josh Law is suffering from a knock to his hip. Celtic, meanwhile, have Osebi Abadaki available after the club received his international clearance.

Elsewhere, 13th-placed Gainsborough Trinity take on 19th-placed Northwich Victoria, where only three points separate the sides after ten matches.

The Blues come into the match on the back of a 4-2 loss at the hands of Southport while Northwich are eager to add to their points haul after erasing their 10 point deduction and will be in buoyant mood having beaten Hyde United 3-1 in their last match.

Norwich Victoria manager Andy Preece is set to name an unchanged side while Trinity could welcome back Luke Beckett and Adie Moses. Defender Ryan Toulson won't take part.

In Saturday's other matches 18th-placed Gloucester take on 11-placed Blyth Spartans, while Harrogate Town, in 15th spot, welcome 17th-placed Stafford Rangers to Wetherby Road. Redditch take on Workington, who occupy 14th-place, and 16th-placed Vauxhall Motors play against second-from-bottom Solihull Moors.

All Saturday's fixtures in full:

Alfreton Town v Stalybridge

Droylsden v Corby

Eastwood Town v AFC Telford

Gainsborough v Northwich

Gloucester v Blyth Spartans

Harrogate Town v Stafford Rangers

Hinckley Utd v Ilkeston Town

Hyde v Fleetwood Town

Redditch v Workington

Southport v Farsley Celtic

Vauxhall Motors v Solihull Moors