MARTIN Eatough hopes to unveil new signing Phil Brown when GREAT HARWOOD TOWN entertain Whitley Bay at The Showground tomorrow.

Harwood have picked up the striker from Bamber Bridge and Eatough said: "Hopefully he will make a difference and strengthen our attack.

"We gave a disappointing performance last Saturday, but were unlucky to lose at Ashton on Monday when we played well after having John Whitaker sent off early in the game.

"Now we have to make sure we stop the run of defeats. It's the first time since I came here that we have lost two in a row."

Missing for Harwood are Paul Brown, who is still suspended, and Neil Kennedy (ankle injury).

Dave Sutton welcomed this weekend's break from action - because of cup ties - as he continues to enjoy a reduction in CHORLEY'S casualty list.

The lengthy queue for the Victory Park treatment room has severely handicapped Chorley in recent weeks but the manager is confident of a brighter future now that he is getting players back in action.

Evidence of that came with Chorley's brilliant midweek performance and Sutton said: "It was as good as anything I have seen. I have said all along that when we get our best players back we will be all right.

"It just needs a little patience." There were clear signs of a stronger Chorley side last Saturday, when they were unlucky to lose to leaders Leek.

Ken Bridge, manager of RAMSBOTTOM, leads his side into tomorrow's NWCL Second Division match against highly-placed Cheadle Town in confident mood after an impressive midweek away Challenge Cup replay victory over Oldham Town.

Strikers Steve Orrelll and Russell Brierley both got on the scoresheet, but there's still bound to be concern over Ramsbottom's lengthy injury list.

Goalkeeper Mike Kelly - out for a month - is close to fitness, but Craig Chadwick could miss the game with a groin strain.

Neil Rhodes will be another absentee after his injury last Saturday in Ramsbottom's cup game with Oldham Town last Saturday.

New NELSON boss Ian Britton - the ex-Burnley and Chelsea player - must focus on a derby clash with Colne tomorrow in the NWCL Division Two.

Midfielder Paul Greenhoff and defender Kieran Roberts are available for selection again.

"Former manager Nigel Coates has left me a good squad of players. Unfortunately, he had a lot of injuries which did not help results," said Britton. Injured full-back John Naylor has only just started light training, and midfielder Neville Roscoe (dislocated shoulder) is also still out. Both Dave Lee and sweeper Shaun Martin are unavailable to tackle Colne, who have still yet to win a single league point this season.

A trip to Derbyshire is in prospect for ACCRINGTON STANLEY tomorrow when they take on Alfreton Town in the UniBond Premier League.

New signing Peter Smith is definitely in the squad.

The prolific scorer, who was signed for a nominal fee from Barrow in midweek, is a highly-respected former Great Harwood player.

Defender Andy Burns is due to start a suspension shortly but should still be available.

Stanley director of football Brent Peters feels the Reds will secure maximum points before their mouth-watering Crown Ground derby clash with Chorley next Wednesday.

Manager Ian McGarry described his DARWEN side as "young lions" after their midweek triumph over NWCL First Division leaders Mossley. "My young lads played like lions on Tuesday night, and the 4-3 scoreline flattered Mossley," he said.

"It's so puzzling because we were like pussycats last Saturday when we lost at home to Glossop," he added.

Darwen picked up a few knocks in their midweek triumph and several players face fitness tests before the short trip to Atherton Collieries tomorrow.

Striker Martin Horsfield looks set to miss the game.

Tomorrow's local 'derby' between BACUP BOROUGH and Castleton Gabriels in the NWCL Division Two, has an added spice to it, says Bacup manager Andy Barton.

"All of my team are from the Rochdale area and we know the Castleton Gabriels players well,' he said. "The only exception is recently signed Linton James who is a local lad. But even I come from Rochdale," he added.

Centre forward and assistant manager Alan Davies - out since he damaged knee ligaments in the opening game of the season against Formby - is set to return.

CLITHEROE aim for top spot in Division One when Vauxhall GM are the visitors to Shawbridge tomorrow.

The FA Vase finalists are unbeaten in the league and extended their run to ten games with a fine point at leaders Mossley last weekend.

Joint-manager Denis Underwood has injury doubts over strikers Jon Penman and Andy Taylor.

Underwood said: "I'm very hopeful that both of them will play. We've had no game this week and that has helped their recovery. We've made a steady start to the season."

Clitheroe have added Clive Dunn and Andy Darbyshire to their squad.

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