Non-league round-up

THE magic of the FA Cup comes to The Showground tomorrow when Great Harwood Town take on Whitley Bay in a first qualifying round fixture.

But manager Ian McGarry is once again hit by selection problems with Mick Lynch, Mark Walsh, Paul Brown and Dave Livesey all rated doubtful for the crucial clash.

The Reds have been dogged by injuries and unavailability in the opening weeks of their league campaign which explains their poor start.

But they have shown glimpses of what they could be capable of when everyone has been fit and victory against Bay, who are struggling themselves at the foot of the table, could spark a welcome change in fortune.

"We've beaten Netherfield, who are going very well in the league, twice already this season without conceding a goal so that shows we can do it," said McGarry.

"But our season is only starting really because we are only just getting the players back.

"A cup run would be very nice but my main priority has to be the league."

BACUP BOROUGH boss Brent Peters is hoping his side are refreshed and ready for their FA Cup tie at North Eastern Counties League side Thackley following a midweek trip to a health club.

Peters promised his players the treat if they beat Darwen in last weekend's NWTFL derby and when they came up with the goods in the form of a 2-1 win, the West View boss found himself dipping into his pocket.

"Thackley are second in their league as far as I can gather but I'm not too worried about that," said Peters, who tried to run the rule over them last week but his car broke down on the way to the ground.

"As long as we are on top of our game then that is all I am worried about." Jamie Wright, Daz Garner and Scott Gizon are ruled out of tomorrow's clash but Paddy Revelles successfully came through a training session this week and is expected to return.

DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes could have as many as six players back for his side's cup-tie at Billingham Synthonia.

The Anchormen go into the game against the Northern League First Division outfit as underdogs but the return of injured trio Neil Cordingley, Jimmy Khan and Brian Gardner as well as Martin Hulme and Neil Almond who were absent last week, will be a major boost.

"They are going to be a very good side because they've won their league something like four times in the last eight years," said Wilkes.

"But it would be great if we could get a draw and bring them back down to our place on Tuesday night."

RAMSBOTTOM continue their first ever FA Cup quest with a tough tie at home to Northern League Division One outfit Shildon.

But manager Ken Bridge has no fresh injury worries to contend with following his side's midweek draw with Glossop.

Paul Thompson has a swollen ankle but should be fit and Bridge has already had to reckon without Danny Goodall (hamstring) and Mark O'Brien who serves the last game of a suspension. CHORLEY boss Bryan Griffiths should welcome back former Manchester United starlet Ross Millard for his side's home game against table-topping Worksop Town.

The Magpies have become the UniBond League's draw specialists so far this season with Tuesday night's 1-1 stalemate against Runcorn being their sixth in eight outings.

But Griffiths believes his side can push themselves into the title frame if they can discover a little bit more menace up front.

"The problem at the moment is that we are not scoring goals which is putting a bit of pressure on us as a whole," said the Chorley boss.

"We've played Stalybridge, Gateshead and Runcorn so far this season who are throwing their hat in the ring and we shouldn't be embarassed to throw ours in with them.

"Worksop lost for the first time in midweek and we will see how they react to that against us."

Centre back Ian Harold and striker Paul Higginbotham are still ruled out through injury.

ROSSENDALE UNITED are expected to welcome back Paul Demaine and Matt Reywood for their trip to Holker OB in the NWTFL First Division.

Micky Bennett could also return but Neil Perry is not expected to be fit as Micky Graham's men look to bounce back from their midweek defeat at Prescot Cables. Graham felt his side wasn't as bad as the 5-1 scoreline suggested but admitted to some poor defending and could make changes tomorrow.

He has a sizeable squad to select from including Akeel Kadir, Clinton McLoughlin and Ryan Clamford.

"We have had a difficult start with some of the teams we have had to play against, but we are hoping to bounce back and with a run of games against teams around our level, get some points in the bag," said Graham.

Bottom-of-the-table COLNE will make a fitness check on Mark Baldochino, whose goal earned them a cup win last weekend, before tomorrow's trip to Woodley Sports in the NWTFL Second Division.

Baldochino has a hamstring strain, while player-manager Denzil Hart is definitely without wide man Joel Warner because of university commitments.

Johnny Roye is also out injured but Hart is pleased that a number of others have come back into the frame in recent weeks, including left-back Mark Fitton.

And he is confident that Colne's fortunes will turn in what he thinks will be a very tight division if they can convert a greater percentage of their chances.

NELSON boss John Bailey will be reminding his players it's a game of two halves ahead of their match at home to Ashton Town.

"We've got to learn to play for 90 minutes instead of 45," said the Blues boss, who has watched his side surrender precious leads in recent weeks.

Matt Shiels and Lloyd Green are set to return but Ian Fleming, Ray Davies and Steve Ross are still injured and Chris Halstead is suspended.

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