In the Skrill Premier, Hyde face fellow relegation strugglers Chester at Ewen Fields with Scott McNiven taking on one of his former club.
Being in the same position Hyde have a real chance of getting that first league win but McNiven was taking nothing for granted.
“They’re one of my old clubs which makes it extra special. It will be a tough game, they’re tough to beat but they’re in the relegation zone and it’s a game we need to win,” he said.
While in the Skrill North Stockport County are away at Oxford City and they will be looking to build momentum after the 4-2 win over Telford last weekend.
Alan Lord said he was looking to see more performances like that but said they couldn’t rest on their laurels as they face an Oxford side who are at the bottom of the table.
“Every game is a different game and we look to plan and prepare in the right way and we’ll be doing the same this week irrespective of their league position.
I think we played Gainsborough Trinity when they were at the bottom and they’ve turned it round so I’m not taking anything for granted,” said Lord.
In the Evo-Stik Premier Division Ashton United make the short journey to Trafford on Saturday with both sides desperate for victory.
Joint Ashton manager Steve Halford is looking for his players to climb the table and regain the early season form which saw his side unbeaten in eight league games.
Halford‘s men beat Trafford in their previous league meeting this season but is not underestimating the opposition despite Garry Vaughan’s men sitting in 20th position.
He said: “In just a few games you can either be up there or down there, at the moment we are making too many mistakes.
“We are getting punished for the missed chances and not killing teams off.
“Trafford are possibly up there with the top three passing teams in the league but they have a few flaws and hopefully we can expose them.”
Ashton are also hopeful of a new arrival next week.
Bottom club Droyslden welcome Kings Lynn Town to the Butcher’s Arms Ground as FC United face an away tie at Rushall Olympic with both sides currently on 24 points.
Mossley host Cammell Laird at Seel Park in the First Division North and manager Peter Band is confident of making it two wins in a week after the midweek 4-2 win against Prescot Cables.
Band said: “Everyone is up for it and by winning both our next games we can go to 6th or 7th but if we lose them we can go near the bottom, it’s just more even this year, but winning breeds confidence.”
Dougie Carroll is sure to be on the radar of the bigger clubs with his prolific form this season including a midweek hat-trick but Band has come to expect interest of his top players.
He said: “It’s part of non-league football, we find little gems and other teams take them then it’s up to us to find more.”
Mossley are set to be without the injured Sam Hind, Daniel McDonnell and Wayne Welbeck.
Other games include Curzon Ashton hosting fellow high-flyers Farsley FC and Ossett Albion – rooted to the bottom of the table – at home to strugglers Salford City.
Image courtesy of Iain Lees, with thanks.
