Colne v Kidsgrove Athletic
Northern Premier League West
Holt House - 15:00
Saturday 13th August
Colne FC open their 2022/23 league campaign with a home game against Stoke-on-Trent based Kidsgrove Athletic.
The Grove finished in a comfortable 10th spot last season, gaining 6 more points than the Reds, but it was Colne who came out on top in the head to head. An Ethan Hartshorn goal cancelled out Reece Webb-Foster’s opener in a 1-1 draw at The Autonet Stadium in August, but a last minute winner from Dean Ing gave the home side all 3 points in the return fixture at Holt House.
This will be Kidsgrove’s first competitive game of the season, but they have seen plenty of action in pre-season friendlies. A 6-0 defeat at home to Crewe Alexandra was quickly cancelled out with a 3-0 win over Port Vale youngsters. No goals in an away game at Hulton United, was followed by a 1-0 loss at Congleton and a 4-1 home win over Redgate. The spoils were shared in a 6 goal thriller at home to Whitchurch Alport, which was bettered away at Foley Meir in a narrow 4-3 win. A 2-1 loss at Tadcaster Albion and a 4-1 home win over Crewe FC brought a busy pre-season to a close.
Grove players to watch - Strikers Kieran Brown and Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi will be particularly dangerous up front, especially with the support of new prolific provider, winger Kieran Knapper, a recent signing from Vauxhall Motors. The Staffordshire side are managed by Scott Dundas and have had a busy recruitment campaign over the summer, signing no less than 8 new players.
After an excellent pre-season, Colne already have a competitive fixture under their belts. A battling performance last Saturday saw the Reds knock fellow NPL West league side 1876 Northwich, out of the FA cup, at the extra preliminary stage, with a 2-1 victory at Holt House. Goals from Owen Watkinson and Jack Doherty secured the win.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch?
Charlie Russell is still recovering from a knock received in the friendly at Barnoldswick and won’t feature, although Ashh has confirmed his vast improvement over the week. A clean bill of health for the remainder of the squad, with the exception of trialist Cormac Noel, who is recovering from a heavy challenge received in the Halifax friendly.
Team selection
Expect another 352 formation for Colne with 3 centre-half’s and 2 marauding wing backs down the flanks. Colne manager Phil Brown, is likely to name an unchanged side from last week’s cup exploits, although the return to the squad of senior players Paul Dugdale and Tom Dean would give him decisions to make re the defence. Loanee Adam Mayor had an eye catching debut last week, on the left, and he is expected to continue in that role, with Tom Fagan on the opposite flank. Craig Carney bossed the middle of the park in last week’s FA Cup fixture and is likely to be paired once again in the centre with Harry Jones, with Lucas Weaver further forward, supporting strikers Owen Watkinson and Jack Doherty. A healthy bench is likely to figure 5 from McCann, Stowe, Kardacz, de Santis, Turner and Thorpe.
Todays NPL West fixtures
1874 Northwich v Prescot Cables - 3pm
Bootle v Leek Town 3pm
Colne v Kidsgrove Athletic 3pm
Glossop North End v City of Liverpool 3pm
Macclesfield v Clitheroe 3pm
Newcastle Town v Witton Albion 3pm
Ramsbottom United v Hanley Town 3pm
Runcorn Linnets v Widnes 3pm
Skelmersdale United v Trafford 3pm
Workington AFC v Mossley 3pm
Admission Prices are:
Adults £9
Concessions £6
Student's with Valid ID Card: £6
Under 16's £2
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