Weekend round-up

WHEN the RAMSBOTTOM UNITED squad travel to take on Mossley in a NWCL Division One encounter tomorrow, it will be the second of three meetings between the two clubs within a seven-day period!

Rams manager Ken Bridge, who has been busy bringing a host of new players to the club recently, has signed left-sided defender Russell Hooton from Atherton L.R. Another new signing, keeper Paul Horridge from Rossendale United, is set to make his debut tomorrow after regular man Darren Ford pulled up with an Achilles injury in midweek.

Midfielder Dave Vedmore, who has joined from St Helens Town, will also be in the squad, as will Simon Mellor - son of former Manchester City left-winger Ian - who made a substitute appearance in Mossley's 1-0 win over the Rams on Wednesday.

However, Warren Brierley will miss the game to complete a seven-day suspension, and Steve Orrell is attending his brother's wedding, but pacy teenage defender Carl Trimble looks set to be involved again after showing excellent recent form.

"We are passing the ball well enough," said Ramsbottom secretary John Maher, "And captain Paul Cuddy is getting things organised on the training ground, but its probably going to take a little time for all the new players to bed in."

BACUP BOROUGH manager Brent Peters took a midweek look at tomorrow's NWCL Division Two opponents Prescot Cables and was quietly impressed by a side who seem to have an ideal mix of youth and experience. But Peters - now seven weeks at the West View helm - will take heart from his own side's plucky display at Clitheroe last week, when a goal right at the end of each half contributed to their downfall.

"Prescot looked to be a side full of running but if our lads perform like they did at Shawbridge, we'll be in there with a chance."

Defender Andy Jones is still doubtful with a torn calf muscle and experienced Paul Beck is no nearer to making an apperance after a slipped disc. Both utility player Dominic Ridley and Liam Boardman are expected to be available to bolster the squad.

Borough have still only played three league games under Peters' stewardship - a win, a draw and a defeat - but the manager is hoping for that one vital ingredient missing from last week's match ... a little bit of luck.

NELSON travel to take on NWCL Division Two bottom-club Blackpool Mechanics tomorrow bidding to sustain their winning knockout competition form in the league.

"Blackpool may be down at the foot of the league, but that counts for nothing," said player-manager Ian Britton.

"Last year we lost matches against teams in the lower reaches, so a victory would be the first step towards our aim of climbing the league to a position where we are possibly challenging for honours."

Full-back Dave Leigh will miss tomorrow's game through suspension, and midfielder Tony Fitton is still unavailable due to work commitments. Front man Andy Bannister's rib injury though, will surely heal all the quicker after he came on as sub and scored a hat-trick last week. He is again available for selection for the trip to the seaside, as Britton has the rare luxury of being able to choose from a virtually injury-free first team squad.

John Hughes could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage, which is a severe blow to ROSSENDALE UNITED boss Micky Graham.

The sweeper, who is also assistant at Dark Lane, suffered the injury against Prescot in last week's cup tie and might yet have to face surgery.

On a brighter note, Graham is hoping to have Paul Smith and Warren Peake back in the squad after injury for tomorrow's game at Nantwich.

"I saw Nantwich play against Atherton and we are capable of getting a good result against them," said the manager.

"We'll go there full of confidence but you can't take anything for granted. You never know how your own team is going to play."

Good news for CHORLEY keeper Simon Marsh this week came in the shape of selection for the UniBond League representative side.

Marsh is one of two keepers in Roly Howard's squad to take on the FA XI - usually chosen from the Conference - at Leigh on Tuesday, November 4.

Meanwhile, for the third time in a week, Chorley face a vital home game with the visit of Guiseley to Victory Park tomorrow.

And they desperately need three points to help boost their hopes of climbing out of trouble. Although they still have a lengthy injury list, including Ian Cain and Paul Higginbottom, the Magpies are hoping for an injury all-clear from the midweek game against Lancaster.

A quirk of the fixture lists sends GREAT HARWOOD TOWN to Flixton tomorrow, just four days after the UniBond League First Division clubs drew 1-1 at the Showground.

Mick Lynch (hamstring) is doubtful for Harwood, while Dave Burgess is still unavailable.

But manager Ian McGarry is happier now he has Matt Raywood and Russell Whalley back in his squad.

"It will be another tough game and we'll be ready for a battle," said McGarry.

"I can't promise too much entertainment. If people want us to be more entertaining, I'll have to go out and sign the Nolan sisters!

"But it's still early days for me yet and I'm encouraged by what I've seen."

CLITHEROE'S new signing Chris Staunton could make his debut in tomorrrow's derby at Haslingden.

The ex-Burscough man has been playing local football in Liverpool and had a spell with Burscough.

Co-manager Denis Underwood said: "He is an adaptable player who can play either on the left side of midfield or at wing-back."

Defender Ian Lang could also make a return to the Blues side following injury.

"Ian has an 80 per cent chance of playing. We will make a decision tomorrow."

ACCRINGTON Stanley aim to bounce back to winning ways at Spennymoor United after the narrow midweek defeat to Premier Division leaders Barrow at the Crown Ground. With striker Jim McCluskie out for the rest of the season with a damaged Achilles tendon, manager Leighton James faces selection problems.

Greg Challender faces a late fitness on an injured toe while ex-Burnley defender Wayne Dowell - who impressed against Barrow - has a slight leg injury.

Chairman Eric Whalley said: "We are down to the bare bones and we are working to bring extra people in."

HASLINGDEN'S player-manager Steve Parry will be without two influential members of his side for tomorrow's clash with Clitheroe at Ewood Bridge.

Defenders Ray Davis and Russell Procter are both unavailable while Paul Stanley faces a late fitness test.

Parry said: "This game is a big test for everybody because Clitheroe are one of the top sides in this division.

"We know how they play and we will be prepared for them."

COLNE face a tricky task against Formby at Brows Lane.

And manager Denzil Hart will field several of his new faces, including Russell Headley and Mark Fitten, who both made their debuts against Bacup Borough.

Hart said: "It is a tough task because Formby have made a good start to the season, but I am convinced we are making progress."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.