MATCH PREVIEW: Squires Gate v Abbey Hey

Gate return to action at The Brian Addison Stadium this weekend hosting Abbey Hey. Gate have been boosted going into this game confirming the signings of Scott Harries and Max Rothwell, they'll be looking to remain unbeaten in 2018 after last Saturday draw at AFC Liverpool.

Last time out
Gate started the new year with a point at manager less AFC Liverpool, doing everything but find the net.

Defender Dave Rossall returned to the side after an absence from football and Joey Mullen returned after recovering from injury.

Inform striker Gary Pett has two great chances early into the game first a shot from outside the box flew over the cross bar before Jake Higham looked for the striker at the front post, but the home keeper collected before Pett could reach the cross.

The second half was mainly dominated by Gate with lots of the play in AFC's half, Clarkson's men just couldn't convert the chances created.

Gate's best chance of the second half came from good pressure from Gary Pett and Jake Higham, the latter though had his shot scrambled clear.

Dean Ing then burst into the box late on, only for AFC to clear the ball last minute before the midfielder could get his shot away.

The Away Team
Abbey Hey come into this game 19th in the league having lost five of their last six games. This season they've won seven of their twenty three games, losing twelve and drawing four games.

The Manchester side come into this game after a 5-3 win to New Mills in the Macron Cup on Thursday evening. A league win for Luke Gibson's side hasn't come since 25th November when they beat Barnton 7-1. So far this month the form table for Abbey Hey looks like WLLLLL placing them 18th in the form table. The losses have come against Trafford, Ashton Athletic, Runcorn Town, Maine Road and Charnock Richard. The only win came against previously mentioned New Mills in the Macron Cup. Two goals from George Noon in the first four minutes gave them the lead before Daniel Hefferman extended the lead before half time. A second half double from Peter Watling secured the win.

The Last Time We Met
It was an entertaining encounter last time these two sides met at the back end of last season.

Abbey Hey opened the scoring on 24 minutes through Rio Murray and would hold onto the lead until the second half.

A much improved Gate side came out second half and grabbed a goal back from the penalty spot, Joe Noblet steeping up to convert from the spot. Midfielder Johnathan Hardy would then restore the homesides lead before Gate again equalised through half time sub Tarren Moxon.

The homeside would then go on to win the game with ten minutes left, defender James Moore allowed too much time on the edge of the box to fire past Speight in goal.

Gate: Speight, Carroll, Penswick, Alexander, Higham, Waters, Hall, Rothwell, B.Seear, Noblet, Bamba. Subs: Richards, Moorhead, Smith, Moxon.

Head to Head
The two sides have met 25 times since 2003. Gate lead the way with ten wins, whilst Abbey Hey have picked up seven wins and eight games have ended in a draw.

Other Premier Division Games
1874 Northwich v AFC Liverpool
Barnoldswick Town v Northwich Victoria
Barnton v Maine Road
Bootle v AFC Darwen
Charnock Richard v Ashton Athletic
Hanley Town v Widnes
Irlam v Burscough
Padiham v Runcorn Town
Runcorn Linnets v Congleton Town
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Winsford United

Admission:
Adults £6, Concessions £3, Under 12's free with a paying Adult.

Address:
The Brian Addison Stadium
School Road
Marton
Blackpool
FY4 5DS

If you can't make the game on Saturday be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for match coverage as it happens. We'll also have a full match report and pictures on the website on Sunday as well as in Monday’s Blackpool Gazette.

Updated 21:05 - 31 Aug 2019 by Mark Ashmore