By Arandeep Singh Dhillon & Tom Paterson
In the Skrill Premier, bottom club Hyde face Nuneaton Town at Ewen Fields with the hope of getting their first league win of the season.
They lost 2-0 to Wrexham last weekend which dumped them out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle but it is the league that matters most to manager Scott McNiven.
Despite the demoralising season the fans have shown their support and McNiven was full of praise for the Tigers faithful.
“The fans have been different class, they’re behind what we’re trying to do and its unusual in our position but I’ve been in football long enough to realise that the run of results that we’re on, the fans can turn quite easily and go against you.
“We have a £1.8million budget and its incredible to think that we are here but we deserve to be at this level. We proved last year that we can do it.”
In the Skrill North Stockport County face seventh place Telford at Edgeley Park with the aim of turning around their fortunes after a poor run of form.
Poor communication was one problem that Alan Lord felt cost them the game as well as the failure of his players to improve their performance from the previous game.
“At the end of the day when you see a highlighted area from the week before you expect that to be done but when it doesn’t get done, you think give me your shirt,” he said.
Lord alluded to the chat he had with his players in the dressing room saying that he couldn’t divulge that information as there would be ‘too many bleeps’.
While at the top of the table, Altrincham face league leaders Hednesford Town at Moss Lane with only goal difference separating the pair.
Lee Sinnott’s men were edged out 3-2 against Boston United on Saturday making it their second defeat in twelve games.
In the Evo-Stik Premier Division clash, Ashton United travel to Kings Lynn Town.
Joint Ashton boss Steve Halford will be hoping to continue the club’s mini-revival after four successive losses have been followed up with a win and a midweek draw at Matlock Town.
Halford believes several wins on the bounce could put them amongst the top-placed sides in the league.
“A consistent run is the difference between the top teams and the rest of them. We have a full squad to pick from now, the last few weeks we had people missing, so that must give the players a real boost.
“The lads know we can’t afford to lose another game in the coming weeks.”
Salford City travel to Bamber Bridge in the First Division North after claiming a point at home to Cammell Laird on Tuesday thanks to Otis Gorman’s late equaliser.
Whilst FC United face Witton Albion in an FA Trophy first qualifying round replay to be played at Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Ground.
Karl Marginson’s men will be in confident mood after scoring six to emphatically win last weekend.
In the FA Trophy second qualifying round, Curzon Ashton and Trafford face away ties to Kidsgrove Athletic and Gresley FC.
Mossley are also in second round qualifying action as they travel to Northwich Victoria.
Having slipped to 14th in the league, joint-manager Peter Band welcomes the cup tie which could be vital for the financial side of the club.
Band has again reiterated the importance of striker Dougie Carroll to Mossley’s fortunes this season and feels he can handle the pressure on his shoulders.
“He scored eight goals in nine games easy and has took the league by storm, it’s all about when to play and when to rest him,” said Band.
Image courtesy of Iain Lees, with thanks.
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