Andrew’s Match Preview
Colne v Glossop North End
Holt House
NPL West
Tuesday 21st February - 19:45
Colne welcome Derbyshire side Glossop North End to Holt House for a league fixture in the Northern Premier West Division.
Glossop North End, nicknamed the Hillmen, were founded in 1886 and play their home games at Surrey Street, in North West Derbyshire. Last season Glossop finished in 17th place with 40 points and in the head to head with the Reds, each side recorded a win each on their home patch. Two Oli Roberts goals gave Colne a 2-0 win in September, and in January, despite two late strikes from Reece Webb-Foster, an earlier brace from Jamie Rainford and one from Keaton Mulvey gave the Hillmen all three points in a 3-2 victory. In this season’s reverse fixture in late October, the Reds travelled to Surrey Street and recorded their first away win of the season, when Enock Lusiama’s second half header separated the two sides.
This season Glossop have won 7, drawn 7 and lost 14, which gives them 28 points from 28 games and places them 17th in the league table. Away from home the Hillmen have won at Witton Albion 1-0, Skelmersdale United 2-0, 1874 Northwich 2-0, City of Liverpool 3-0, and Ramsbottom United 4-1. After a 1-0 home victory over Emley in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, they were knocked out at the next stage 1-2 at Liversedge. In the FA Trophy, Glossop were eliminated at the first qualifying stage, losing 1-2 at Ramsbottom United. In their last away fixture on Saturday, the Hillmen were defeated 0-2 away at top of the table Macclesfield.
Glossop North End players to watch
Ex Red keeper Craig Ellison joined the Hillmen 3 weeks ago and is their 4th keeper of the season. The 35 year old has extensive experience at step 3 and 4, including a loan spell at Holt House last Autumn when he conceded just 1 goal in 4 games.
21 year old Luke Nock came through the youth system at Rochdale, and he arrived at Glossop 12 months ago via Stockport county. Luke has scored 7 times so far this season from midfield.
Cameroon born striker Jacques Etia joined the club from Ashton United in September and has scored 6 times already. The 20 year old was a youth at Rotherham United before signing for Sheffield FC, then had a spell at Ollerton Town.
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 netted 5 times this term.
Another young midfielder who came through Stockport’s academy is summer signing Jack Hopkins and he has 23 appearances to his credit since he joined the club.
Sekouba Sanogo is a French National defender who signed for Glossop from Macclesfield just over a year ago. He is a left wing back and has made 31 appearances for the Hillmen this season, scoring twice.
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 26 times this season.
Only two years 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 4 goals since August.
Midfielder Moses Yoak is in his second spell at the club. The 24 year old has moved around since leaving Glossop including an excellent season last year at Longridge Town scoring 12 times and contributing 11 assists. Moses played at step 3 with Stalybridge Celtic for the first half of this season and only joined the Hillmen in January scoring 2 goals in 7 games.
29 year old attacking midfielder Nathan Valentine joined the Hillmen last month. The box to box midfielder is very experienced and can count on Scarborough, Stalybridge, Matlock and a host of other clubs on his CV. Nathan played in the first half of the season at Tadcaster Albion.
Glossop are managed by former Warrington Town and Clitheroe 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
Colne travelled to 9th placed Prescot Cables on Saturday for a league game between two out of sorts sides who produced a dour goalless stalemate. There were 3 changes to the Colne eleven which lost 1-4 the previous week, with Alex Henderson returning to AccrIngton and Tom Fagan and Luke Stowe dropping to the bench. Tom McCann came in at left back, new loan signing midfielder Alex Doyle made his debut and Lucas Weaver returned to the attack, as the Reds lined up 433. The game wasn’t a classic as both sides cancelled each other out, but each team had one clear chance to break the deadlock during the 90 minutes. Lucas Weaver had a superb first half 20 yard shot heading for the top corner, before Cables keeper Mitchell Allen, somehow got a hand to it for a spectacular save, and with minutes remaining, Charlie Glennon pounced on a Colne mistake at the back to give himself a one on one with Colne keeper Hakan Burton, but it was the experienced Colne stopper who came out on top with a great save. Tom McCann had to leave the field just after the half an hour mark due to a broken nose and possible concussion and he was replaced by Luke Stowe, and for the last 20 minutes Danny Kyobe was sacrificed, as left back Ben Anderson joined the fray. This allowed Stowe to push up on the left and Weaver swap over to the right, as the Reds looked to negate Cannon-Noren’s raids down the right flank, and protect the draw. The non-league paper’s report on Sunday described the fare as “not a game that will live long in the memory”, but it’s a much needed clean sheet and valuable point for the Reds, who looked more comfortable at the back in a traditional flat back four. For keeping that defence in check, Rolls Royce Glenn Steel was Colne’s man of the match.
The point keeps the Reds in one of the relegation play-off spots in 18th place, with 28 points from 27 games, just 1 point above the fast improving Widnes, who won away at Witton Albion and are second to bottom.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch? - Tom McCann had to come off on Saturday after breaking his nose and showing signs of concussion. He’ll not be involved on Tuesday as concussion protocols will be followed.
Jack Doherty is recovering from surgery on his ACL injury and will begin his rehabilitation when ready under the watchful eye of Accrington Stanley. This injury has ruled him out for the season.
Team news - Alex Henderson has returned to Accrington Stanley after his loan ended. Tom McCann will miss out due to Saturday’s injuries. 19 year old defender Jacob Bridges has joined the Reds and he was an unused substitute at Prescot on Saturday. Jacob was at Turf Moor as a teenager and a youth at AFC Fylde, before turning out for Haslingden St Mary’s in the West Lancs league.
Phil Brown should have a squad of 17 to choose from.
Glossop North End have plummeted down the table since the Reds turned them over in October when they were in 10th place. In the 16 games since that night, the Hillmen have won just 3 times, all away from home. They have lost their last 3, 0-1 at Hanley Town, 1-2 at home to Skelmersdale United and 0-2 at Macclesfield on Saturday. Understandably on Saturday they were comfortably beaten at Macclesfield, and never managed a shot on target, as the league leaders enjoyed all the possession and Glossop did remarkably well to keep the score down to just two. They are currently joint 2nd bottom in the form tables with the Reds, as both teams have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 6. Their position of 17th place is 1 spot above the Reds, with the same number of points and a +2 better goal difference, albeit they have played a game more.
Colne look to build on their goalless draw at Prescot Cables on Saturday. A better defensive unit, with an orthodox back 4 was on show and a battling midfield ensured they matched the home team in the middle of the park. Up front the Reds struggled, as former Colne defenders Tom Dean and Harry Cannon-Noren were up for it, to prove a point, and they kept Watkinson and Weaver quiet at every turn. Bringing in a striker to offer another option and help improve their goals for column, is proving challenging, so home grown talent Cuan Bradley could get the chance to take advantage of that opportunity. A hat-trick in his last under 21 game (9 goals in last 4 starts), and an assist in his cameo role from the bench at 1874 Northwich, have done his chances no harm. This game is a real basement 6 pointer no doubt, so if the Reds can rediscover their “hard to beat” mid season form and recapture their FA Trophy prowess in front of goal, a home victory would be theirs for the taking, and the much needed 3 points would elevate them out of the bottom 4 into 16th spot.
Admission Prices are:
Adults : £9
Concessions : £6
Under 16’s : £1
Under 12’s - Free
Dog friendly
Holt House
Harrison Drive
Colne
BB8 9SF
Upcoming games
Sat 25th February - Witton Albion v Colne - 15:00 NPL West
Sat 4th March - Skelmersdale United v Colne - 15:00 NPL West
Sat 11th March - Colne v Workington - 15:00 NPL West
Today’s NPL West games - 19:45
1874 Northwich v Kidsgrove Athletic
Ramsbottom United v Clitheroe
Witton Albion v Newcastle Town