Colne v 1874 Northwich, by Andrew Pickup
FA Cup Extra Preliminary round
Holt House - 15:00
Replay if necessary
Fellow NPL West contenders 1874 Northwich are the visitors to Holt House for the Reds’ first competitive game of the 2022/23 season.
The Greens finished in 12th position, a couple of league places higher than Colne last season, amassing 3 more points, and although an injury time penalty winner from Webb-Foster gave the Reds a 2-1 victory away at Townfield, the ‘74’ gained their revenge in emphatic style in the return fixture, when a 2nd half collapse from the home side saw Northwich run out 4-0 winners.
Both clubs have had a busy pre-season, with the Cheshire outfit notably beating their landlords Barnton 2-0 and scoring 6 times without reply against Market Drayton. A 1-0 reverse to a Salford City XI side and a 2-0 win at Airbus last Saturday completed their warm up friendlies.
Colne meanwhile have warmed up with a 1-1 draw at Squires Gate, a comfortable victory at Steeton 4-0, another 1-1 draw at Barlick, and a 2-0 win down the road at Padiham. The Reds then stepped up the standard of opposition and suffered a 3-0 reverse at home to National league North side Curzon Ashton, but ended pre-season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Conference League side FC Halifax Town.
1874 Players to watch - Last year’s players of the season - Mark Jones and Joe Woolley, former Colne keeper Tony Aghayere and new signing, ex football league striker, Jamie Reed. They are jointly managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison.
The Red Army will be looking forward to welcoming new manager Phil Brown to Holt House for his first competitive game in charge and seeing his new young signings showcase their wares.
Mateusz Kardacz (RB/CB), Jack Doherty (Forward), and Luke Stowe (AM), all former Accrington Stanley academy graduates, have joined the Reds. Lucas Weaver (Forward), and Ellis Wallbank (CB/RB) have arrived from West Lancs league side Fulwood Amateurs. The midfield has been strengthened by new recruits Tom McCann (CM) from Garstang, Harry Jones (CM) from Fylde and Ezio de Santis (AM/Wing) from Trastevere, Rome. Thomas Fagan (RB) has been recruited after leaving Kendal Town and is joined by Morecambe loanee Adam Mayor (Forward/LWB). Added experience has not been over-looked however, and Glen Steele (CB) from Lancaster City, Craig Carney (CM) from Bamber Bridge, along with the astute recruiting of Owen Watkinson (striker), from newly promoted Marine, complete the new in-comings.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch? -
Charlie Russell is definitely out after limping off with a bruised foot at Barnoldswick. Running, but not yet training, he’ll hopefully be in contention in a couple of weeks. Better news for new striker Owen Watkinson (pictured) who is expected to make his competitive debut after missing the Halifax friendly with a sore back.
Team selection - It’ll be interesting to see how the new look Colne side set up and who features. The early friendlies were a more traditional 442, but the last few have suggested that maybe Phil Brown favours playing with 3 centre-backs in a 352. Expect a mixture of experience and youth with probable debuts for Steel, Carney, Weaver, Stowe and Watkinson. Tom Dean and Paul Dugdale are welcome returnees from holiday.
An away tie at Clitheroe on the 20th of August awaits the winners.
This is the most famous cup competition in the footballing world.
This is the FA cup.
The dream is alive!
Adults - £9
Concessions - £6
Under 16’s - £2
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