Glossop North End will look to build on back to back wins in cup and league competitions when they take on the league’s bottom side AFC Liverpool at the Asgaard Engineering Stadium, in Glossop, this Saturday.

Last week the Hillmen ended a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions by completing a come-from-behind 2-1 victory on a wet Tuesday night against local rivals New Mills in the Derbyshire FA County Cup and then saw out a seven-goal thriller, on the road, at Euxton Villa, in the league at the weekend. In what were two very contrasting games [GNE trailed 1-0 at the break in midweek before coming back to win whereas they led 4-1 at half time in the league game before surrendering two second half goals without reply] the Hillmen found their shooting boots.

A double from debutant substitute Nathal Fontaine, a dual registration signing from Stalybridge Celtic made the difference in the cup whereas it was a brace each for top scorer Ethan Sutcliffe and summer signing Kaleb Parkinson which were enough to secure the win at the weekend. Goals win games so it will be pleasing for Lee Wilshaw to see his side fire six in a week. Defensively though the Hillmen have now conceded thirteen goals in their last six games and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any competition since their late August win, at home, against Atherton LR. Wilshaw has tried different defensive combinations in each of those games and will hope that this weekend, back at home, sees a much welcomed clean sheet for his side. Wilshaw could well have club captain Olly Parker available again after his recent absence as an option in defence but one player who has left the squad is Tomi Efunnuga, who has joined Ramsbottom United.

Anyone can beat anyone in the North-West Counties so Wilshaw will need to ensure that complacency doesn’t become a factor when facing a side who have only secured 1 league point in twelve games. That point came last time out, in a 3-3 draw with Trafford, arguably the best side GNE have faced this season, so that should serve as a warning that AFC have found something to build on. Their manager, Jack Edwards, did the double over GNE last season when he was in charge of a Pilkington side who struggled for most of the season, but not against the Hillmen. So warning signs for Wilshaw and his coaching staff to consider, but GNE will go into the game as favourites and another three points will see them keep pace with the teams above them, in the play-off spots. Building the next good run is paramount and having picked up the consecutive victories last week they will look to keep stacking positive results at the weekend.

By Iain Taylor