Match Preview

Hillmen look to bounce back in Staffordshire

Glossop will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they make the 58-mile trip to face Newcastle Town.

The Hillmen, who are winless since their 3-2 victory over Bootle on the 1 March, will look at this game to further the gap from the relegation play-off spot with victory.

It was a difficult challenge in our last game against a very well organised Marine side, who were worthy winners on the day and would deserve promotion if they are to go up at the end of the season.

Our opponents this weekend is Newcastle Town, who themselves are right in the relegation battle, above Prescot Cables who occupy the relegation play-off spot but only by virtue of goal difference.

Confidence will be low in the Castle camp, as they conceded twice in the dying minutes to draw with Mossley in their last game.

The Staffordshire side, who have only won once in their last seven games, will look at this game as a possible opportunity to close the gap to only three points behind GNE with victory.

It appears the van der Laan family seem to have a strong affiliation with the Staffordshire side, with Father Robin managing the side and brothers Jack and Tommy playing a key role in the team, scoring nine and four goals this season respectively.

A victory could possibly take the Blues nine points above safety, and GNE will look towards star striker Jamie Rainford for goals in Staffordshire, as he looks to add to his 17 goals this season and steer the side to safety as soon as possible.

The club was also delighted early on deadline day to announce the signing of Canadian attacker Eric Watson from Dultch FC in the USA.

The options in attack will boost Stuart Mellish’s squad in the run-in, and with the addition of Watson it will certainly bring a confidence boost to the side.

It is a game the Hillmen cannot afford to lose, and a victory will all but confirm their status in the NPL West for the 2022/23 season.

Matchday Preview by Tomos Wyn Jones