KEN Bridge is hoping that memories of last season's FA Cup exploits will lift RAMSBOTTOM UNITED in their preliminary round tie at Atherton Collieries and kick-start their season.

Ramsbottom are without Steve Brennan (ribs) and Steve Strange (cartilage) but welcome back Russ Brierley, who has been on holiday, for what promises to be a tough game.

"It's always a bit of a battle more than anything against them," said Bridge. "Though the playing surface shouldn't be too bad at this stage of the season.

"The lads will remember last season's FA Cup experiences and, hopefully, that will put them in the right frame of mind for it.

"We have competed well and played some good football so far but we haven't had that competitive edge to our game just yet."

Both teams have seen red cards in their opening couple of games, Atherton two and Rammy one.

Let battle commence.

CHORLEY will be favourites to progress at Northern Counties East League side Denaby United.

However, manager Ken Wright is expecting a tough test for his side as they look to bounce back from a 5-2 midweek defeat by Witton Albion.

"I spoke to the Ossett manager about them last week and he said they're likely to be a big strong side and it's not the best place to go. "The surface isn't great but these are the conditions we will have to contend with and the prize is progress in a competition which can be quite lucrative," said Wright, who may have Adam Critchley and Paul Griffin back in his squad.

Wright admits his side needs to tighten up defensively, although he has been encouraged by a return of five goals in two games.

"I've had some good times at Chorley and Horwich and hopefully we can emulate that type of success," said the manager who guided Chorley to a memorable first round proper win over Wolves during his first spell in charge at Victory Park in 1986.

MICKY Graham's ROSSENDALE UNITED side are another expected to reach the first qualifying round where they will entertain either Brandon United or Ossett Town.

Rossendale are at home to Chadderton, who play a division below United in the First North Western Trains League, and Graham said: "I don't want to count our chickens but we should get a result. I'm not expecting anything less.

"If we play to our form we should do well."

Rossendale, who have opened their season with two draws, could be without Paul Daughtry (back) and Matt Reywood, who has had his tonsils removed, but Andy Grimshaw could return.

CLITHEROE have doubts over Carl Greenwood (ankle), Andy Taylor (calf) and Brian Welch (Achilles) as they hit the FA Cup trail at Ashton United.

Boss Steve Parry though goes into the game boosted by a midweek victory over neighbours Ramsbottom.

"It will be a tough game because they are a UniBond outfit and we are away from home.

"But we have a side that is capable of scoring goals and I think the way they play football will suit us."

BACUP BOROUGH defender Liam Boardman is out of his side's FA Cup clash at home to Sheffield after undergoing an operation on a fractured cheekbone.

Boardman picked up the injury after what manager Brent Peters described as a 'terrible' challenge in last weekend's 1-0 defeat against Castleton Gabriels and now faces a lengthy lay-off.

Ex-Ramsbottom United defender Dave Betts has been snapped up as his replacement and he should play against the North East Counties League outfit.

"I wish it was a league game, really," admitted Peters, who should also have Jason Rogers back in his squad.

"It's nice for some of the lads to say they've played in the FA Cup but we've a long way to go before we meet one of the big boys and our priority at the moment is getting points on the board in the league."

Denis Underwood is hoping to add an experienced striker and a goalkeeper to his GREAT HARWOOD TOWN squad in time for tomorrow's First North Western Trains League Division One game against Vauxhall Motors at The Showground.

The Town boss could also welcome back experienced hands Dave Bennett (back) and Paul Brown (ribs) after injury to boost a squad that has picked up four points out of six.

"I won't know until tomorrow but I hope to sign a new striker," said Underwood, who will continue to deputise in goal if nothing materialises on that front. "There are several goalkeeping possibilities," said the manager, who has kept two clean sheets at the age of 40 in Town's keeper crisis.

"It's not my age that's the problem, it's my knees and everything else that made me retire in the first place," laughed the manager.

Underwood was delighted with the opening-day win over Bootle and especially the 0-0 draw with Rossendale, considering their squad was depleted.

Tomorrow's game has been switched to Harwood because Vauxhall have been having pitch problems.

NELSON striker Nigel Coates is facing a lay-off of more than three weeks with a bout of blood poisoning.

So boss John Bailey has been forced into a reshuffle following last week's opening day 3-0 win, in which Coates scored.

The player is recovering in Burnley General Hospital and Jon Irvine and Andy Haworth have added to Bailey's problems by suffering knee ligament injuries.

Chris Halstead will come into midfield and John Whiteside will fill the void up front.

But Bailey had some good news last week after completing the signing of left back Les Thompson, who had started the pre-season programme with Clitheroe. Tomorrow's opponents Daisy Hill struggled last season and have already suffered two defeats this season.

But their pitch in uninviting and Bailey said: "This is probably the best time of year to go there but they will always make it hard for you."

COLNE boss Denzil Hart will be hoping his side can bounce back from Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat against Darwen when Castleton Gabriels visit Holt House tomorrow.

The Reds made a brilliant start to the new season with an impressive 2-1 victory at title-favourites Warrington Town last Saturday. And although they couldn't keep that run going against the Anchormen in midweek, the Reds still managed to impress Darwen boss Steve Wilkes.

"Colne will take points off teams this season, I've no doubt about that," said Wilkes.

"They're a lot more organised than they were last season and Denzil looks like he's signed some better players."

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