Andrews Match Preview
Glossop North End v Colne
NPL West
Surrey Street
Tuesday 25th October - 19:45
Colne travel to Derbyshire to take on Glossop North End, in what will be only their fourth away league game of the 22/23 campaign.
Glossop North End, nicknamed the Hillmen, play their home games at Surrey Street, set in the Derbyshire hillside. Last season in the head to head against the Reds, both teams shared a win apiece. Two goals from Oli Roberts secured a 2-0 home win for Colne at Holt House last September, but the Hillmen gained revenge with a 3-2 victory in January at Surrey Street. A brace from Jamie Rainford and one from Keaton Mulvey sent the home side into a 3-0 lead, before Reece Webb Foster pulled back two late goals for the Reds, to make the scoreline look more respectable. Glossop went on to finish 17th in the table with 40 points.
This season GNE have 15 points from 11 games, winning 4, drawing 4 and losing 3 and they currently sit 11th in the table. Last time out they were held at home by Runcorn Linnets in a 1-1 draw with Keaton Mulvey getting their only goal. Their 4 victories this season have come from home wins against City of Liverpool 1-0, and Ramsbottom United 2-1, and away triumphs at Witton Albion 1-0 and Skelmersdale United 2-0. In the FA Cup, a 1-0 home win over Emley in the extra preliminary round and a 1-0 away win at Sheffield in the Preliminary round, give them a trip to NPL Premier side Liversedge, but it was the home side who prevailed 2-1. The Hillmen were knocked out of the FA Trophy at the first stage, losing 1-2 away at Ramsbottom United.
Glossop North End players to watch - Former Rochdale pro and FC United striker Keaton Mulvey joined GNE last November. The 21 year old scored 6 times in the second half of last season and has already netted 4 times this term. 20 year old Luke Nock was another who came through the youth system at Rochdale, and he arrived at Glossop 12 months ago via Stockport county. Luke has scored 3 times so far this season from midfield. Another young midfielder who came through Stockport’s academy is summer signing Jack Hopkins and he’s an ever present since he joined the club. Completing the midfield is creative youngster Louis White, another virtual ever present who has 3 goals to his credit this term and has been at the club since joining from Whythenshawe Amateurs last November. Finley Stanyer is a 20 year old centre half, yet another former Stockport youngster, and he’s already become an established defender at the club, representing GNE 15 times this season. Only 20 months ago 21 year old striker Harry Freedman (son of Dougie), was snapped up by Crystal Palace from Stalybridge Celtic. He was then signed on a free transfer by Macclesfield, and he has joined the Hillmen on a season long loan, scoring 2 goals since August. Glossop are managed by former Warrington Town boss Stuart Mellish, who took over in May ‘21, when Peter Band left to take up the assistant manager’s job at Macclesfield.
Last time out for the Reds - Saturday’s loss at home to Skelmersdale United was arguably the most disappointing result of the season so far. Bradley Knox returned to the line up, replacing Harry Jones in midfield, and new loanee Enock Lusiama, and Lucas Weaver started up front, in place of the injured Jack Doherty and the suspended Owen Watkinson. Luke Stowe’s hamstring injury meant that he missed out, and skipper Paul Dugdale was moved over to left wing-back. Phil Brown decided to go with a back three of loanee debutant Thomas Hoyle (right), Glenn Steel (centre), and Tom Fagan (left), with Matty Kardacz dropped to the bench. A third loanee Jake Wallace, took up the right wing-back role. The game was only 3 minutes old, when a corner from Elliot Morris went directly to the unmarked full-back Callum Lees and he placed the ball inside the unguarded near post to put Skem one up. Five minutes later, the Colne manager swapped the positions of Dugdale and Fagan, as the Reds piled forward looking for an equaliser. Lusiama was a big threat up front for the Reds, winning everything in the air, and he was unlucky to see a screamer thump the upright. Minutes later, his pull back was fired home by Oli Roberts to level the scores. Skem’s keeper Ben Barnes was kept busy, but he would have been helpless if Karl Clair hadn’t intercepted a certain tap in from Craig Carney. The second half proved less frantic with a few chances at either end, the best of which saw Fagan head a Carney cross into the ground and over the bar. Both keeper’s were kept busy, in particular a fantastic save from Colne stopper Andre Mendes down to his left, preventing the dangerous Elliot Morris’ effort, after a mazy run, from hitting the back of the net. Alas, Mendes was left helpless, when 6 minutes from time the ball fell nicely for substitute Michael Grogan 20 yards out, and he hit a right foot volley that powered home and won the points for the Blueboys. A fifth defeat in seven games at home this season means the Reds remain in 19th place with 8 points from 10 games, level with bottom of the table Widnes. Enock Lusiama was Colne’s man of the match.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch? - Harry Winstanley is still a month off a return, just a matter of upping the running, then getting involved in training.
Ellis Wallbank is due to start non contact training on Thursday, and hopefully available for selection in 2 weeks.
Jack Doherty is due a scan this week through the PFA to determine if as expected, he has an ACL injury.
Luke Stowe is still out with an hamstring injury, and he won’t be available for selection. Likely to be out for 10-14 days.
Kyobe “Danny” McDaniel has fractured his collar bone and is likely to be out for between 6-8 weeks.
Hakan Burton’s shoulder injury, means he’ll miss the remainder of the season.
Team news - The good news is that Owen Watkinson returns after his one match ban, and if selected, he will relish playing up front with the powerful new loan striker Enock Lusiama. With Luke Stowe out injured, Phil Brown has options for the left midfield slot which include skipper Paul Dugdale, Lucas Weaver, Tom McCann and Tom Fagan. The other two new loanees who went straight into the side on Saturday - Thomas Hoyle (CB) and Jake Wallace (RB) - could well feature in defence again, as could the unlucky to miss out Matty Kardacz. Andre Mendes continues to hold the number one spot. Harry Jones left the club on Saturday to pursue his career elsewhere. He’s the second midfielder to leave in two days, after Charlie Russell’s departure last Friday. Unless one of the under 21’s is stepped up, expect a bare minimum on the bench. Phil Brown certainly needs supporting in the recruitment department if he is to steer the side up the table.
Maybe it will be refreshing to play away from Holt House, after a hectic home schedule so far this term, where results haven’t gone to plan for the Reds. Phil Brown will no doubt be pointing out some good performances on the road in the FA Trophy, namely a 2-1 win at Bridlington Town and an excellent 3-2 victory at NPL Premier side Hyde United. League draws at Trafford and Widnes, which could easily have been wins if Colne had taken their chances, reinforce the view that a flatter playing surface may more suit the Reds’ style of play. However, last season, the pitch at Glossop proved to be decisive in the outcome of the corresponding fixture, and this will need to be factored in. The uneven and bumpy surface was instrumental in two of GNE’s goals. The home side like to press high in the last third, out of possession, as found out by Prince Haywood, who tried to play his way out of trouble on the edge of his box, and was duly dispossessed and punished with a goal. A long grounded clearance in the second half, went all the way through to Colne keeper Hakan Burton, whose fresh air kick left an easy tap in for striker Jamie Rainford. Pass backs and dwelling on the ball will need to be kept to a minimum this time around. Glossop have already played 7 league games at home, like Colne, and have won 2, drawn 3 and lost 2. The Hillmen don’t score a lot, but have a pretty mean defence. They are quite a youthful side though, so if Colne’s experienced players can control the game and provide chances for the two lads up top, a point at least should be achievable.
Admission Prices are:
Adults - £10
Concessions - £6
Under 16’s - £2
Glossop North End AFC,
Surrey Street,
Glossop,
Derbyshire
SK13 7AJ
(Sat Nav SK13 8GG)
Upcoming games
Sat 29th October - Colne v Warrington Rylands - 15:00 FA Trophy First round
Sat 5th November - Colne v Bootle - 15:00 NPL West
Tue 8th November - Colne v Witton Albion - 19:45 NPL West
Today’s other NPL West games - 19:45
Kidsgrove Athletic v Hanley Town
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