SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley wants another good month as they prepare for Saturday’s home game with Ashton United.

Moors had a great September in which they picked up ten points and climbed to fourth in the table, just three points behind second placed Kidderminster, and looking forward to games against Brackley, Curzon Ashton and York after tomorrow.

But Ainsley, who earned the league’s Manager of the Month award for the team’s achievement, knows that victory over Ashton tomorrow is far from straightforward.

“They’ve hit a bit of form recently,” he said. “They’ve only lost two out of the last eight, so they’re a banana skin.

“Some people look at the league table, see us 4th and Ashton in the bottom half of the table and expect us to win, but it’s nowhere near as clear cut as that.

“We’ve been in these situations before, in which we’ve had some good performances and then slipped up – our FA Cup defeat at Witton proves that.

“The players have to maintain their focus and make sure that they have the right attitude. Hopefully the enforced break hasn’t had a detrimental effect on us.

“I want the players to continue the league form we had in September. We have some huge matches coming up in October.”

Midfielder Rob Ramshaw, who picked up a back injury at Hereford in Moors’ last game, is doubtful, while Ryan Hall has recovered from injury.

Ashton United, meanwhile, are 14th in the table, and have picked up eight of their thirteen points away from home this season. They were promoted from the EvoStik last season.

In the EvoStik Premier, South Shields are at Hednesford, and Whitby go to Marine.


SHILDON manager Danny Moore says that they must make home advantage count when Glasshoughton visit in the first round of the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday.

The Railwaymen have been inconsistent in recent weeks and have slipped to fifth place in the ENL table, but Moore believes that his team will have what it takes to beat Glasshoughton, who are midtable in the first division of the Northern Counties East League, a level below them.

“I’ve been to watch them, and they’re not a bad side,” said Moore, who is hoping to strengthen his side ahead of their next league game. “But I believe that with the Vase experience that we have in the team, we should have enough to win the game. We also have to eliminate the bad days that we’ve been having recently. We must make our home advantage count.“

Billy Greulich-Smith is still missing for Shildon, who reached the semi finals of the competition five seasons ago. Moore has also signed striker Nathan Steel from Guisborough, but he is ineligible.

Bishop Auckland have a difficult home tie against Hemworth, who are top of the NCEL.

Striker Callum Patton is out because of suspension and defender Kieran Galbraith is unavailable, but defender Niall McGoldrick and midfielder Shaun Ryder both return to the squad after injury, and defender Callum Munro after suspension.

Bishops boss Ian Chandler said; “We’re anticipating a tough game, because Hemsworth are top of their league. They were 3-0 down at half time in their last game but pulled back to draw 3-3. So on the basis that we score a few, and they score a few, then a 0-0 draw is on the cards!”

Bishops have scored 30 times in their eleven league games, while Hemsworth have scored 28.

Brandon, who won their first league game of the season last weekend, have a big adventure at Barton Town in Lincolnshire.

Barton are currently fifth in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, a level above Brandon, who haven’t played in the first round since 2003.

Niall Fingleton and Chris Spence both return for Brandon, but they will be missing Dan Quine and Jack Carr.

In the other Vase ties, Billingham Town are at home to Dunston UTS, who have reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA cup.

Hebburn are expecting a big crowd for their home tie with City of Liverpool, while Guisborough go to Runcorn Town.

Sunderland RCA have a big game against Bridlington, while Seaham Red Star go to Vauxhall Motors.

The FA Trophy gets underway for Marske United, who are playing in the competition for the first time ever at home to Atherton Collieries, while Morpeth are at home to Brighouse.


IN the Northern League, Newton Aycliffe will include a new signing when they face North Shields at Moore Lane.

Manager Deano Browne has signed striker Vinny Gash from Seaham Red Star, and he will go straight into the side for today’s game, with the possibility of another newcomer joining him.

“We need to start picking up points at home, and the lads will be working hard to do so,” said Browne.

Aycliffe have lost four times at home this season, but they won their last home league game against Penrith.

The game of the day in the league is the visit of fourth placed Stockton to league leaders Consett.


IN the second division, Durham City are hoping to continue their revival at home to Tow Law, and they include three new signings in their squad, in Liam Beeston, Kieran Richardson and Jack Marley, but Morghan Claydon is injured and Harry Spence suspended.

Lawyers are currently fourth from bottom, and they welcome Matty Fisher back from suspension, while Damon Reaks is expected to move to Northallerton.

Durham manager Wayne Gredziak said; “With Tow Law being only three points above us, this is a big game for both teams so early in the season. After last Saturday’s win we need to continue momentum but Tow Law proved last Saturday that they are a good side with a draw against Billingham Town.”

Northallerton, who have conceded eleven goals in their last two matches, are at Easington, and welcome back keeper and captain Tom Dawson, while defender Dale Elgie is back after suspension and Neil Pattinson after injury.

Crook, who had a great win over joint leaders Chester-le-Street last week, are at West Allotment, and manager Jamie Tunstall is hoping that some of the club’s injured players can return to the squad.