Match Preview

by Taran Dhamrait

Glossop make the short journey west to the Butcher's Arms Ground this Tuesday as they face Droylsden in their re-arranged EVO-STIK League West Division match.

The original fixture had to be abandoned a few minutes into the second half due to floodlight failure earlier this season and because of the frustration caused to supporters at the original game, Droylsden have liaised with League officials to make Tuesday evenings game free entry.

Both clubs will hope a bumper crowd joins the players for an important game under the lights.

Glossop picked up a vital three points last time out against rock bottom side Skelmersdale United, after winning 3-0. The Hillmen left Volair Park buoyant with first half goals from Jack Tuohy and Pete Boyle and a third in the second half from Jack O'Leary marking a good day at the office.

Glosspp also gave a debut to goalkeeper Matthew Holmes who kept a clean sheet, you will be able to see him in action again, tomorrow night.

For the home side, a narrow 2-1 defeat away against second placed Radcliffe Borough means Droylsden sit 14th on 34 points. Only Three places separate Droylsden and Glossop, however, there is a gap of 11 points.

Droylsden only lost one of their four league games in February with defeat also coming against Radcliffe, this time at home. Wins over Clitheroe and Colwyn Bay coupled with a draw against Atherton Collieries meant Droylsden completed February in pretty good form.

Glossop had a mixed month in February, a 3-1 win over Kendal gave Glossop some much needed points although defeats did come against Colwyn Bay and Radcliffe.

Glossop's win over Skelmersdale meant they leapfrogged Clitheroe who lost 3-0 to Chasetown whilst Glossop also have a game in hand. Four points now separate Kendal Town in 19th and Glossop in 17th, Kendal beat Market Drayton Town last Saturday 3-2, with a late goal from Ryan Moore.

Skelmersdale and Kendal both face each other tomorrow night.

Tomorrow's opponents have scored 45 goals this season whilst conceding 47, they also have the league's seventh top scorer in Sefton Gonzales, who has netted 14 league goals this season. In comparison, Glossop have scored 32 goals and conceded 59. Jack Tuohy is Glossop's top scorer with nine goals whilst Matty Russell has netted eight and Pete Boyle six.

When Droylsden faced Glossop at Surrey Street, the game ended all square, 1-1. The teams also met in the Integro cup, Droylsden won 4-2.

Speaking after Glossop's 3-0 win at Skelmersdale last Saturday, Joint Manager Pete Band spoke to GNEtv, he said: "We took a few off, 10,15 minutes to go, saving them for Tuesday.

"Again, we know how Droylsden play, they play out from the back and we've just got to be on it. We've just got to get a couple of wins at home and we'll be safe."

On the decision to make the fixture free admission, Droylsden said in a statement: "With the leagues permission we have made this rearranged fixture on Tuesday 5th March free admission for all this in a small way sends our apologies to the supporters who attended the original tie which was abandoned after a floodlight failure early in the second half.

"(It) will also hopefully attract a few more who may have not attended an EVO-STIK League fixture before, this way they may get a taste of what we already know, that this is a fantastic and competitive league which is affordable for all the family in comparison to league football, all welcome whether you were at the original fixture or not."

We would love to see as many of you as possible come and support the lads as we aim for another away win.

Droylsden play at The Butchers Arms Ground, Market Street, Droylsden, M43 7AW, kick off is 19:45.

Featured Image Credit: Steve Dyson