Colne F.C. v Glossop North End
Holt House
NPL West
Saturday 21st January - 15:00
PITCH INSPECTION - 11:00
Colne welcome Derbyshire side Glossop North End to Holt House for a league fixture in the Northern Premier West Division.
Glossop North End, nicknamed the Hillmen, were founded in 1886 and play their home games at Surrey Street, in North West Derbyshire. Last season Glossop finished in 17th place with 40 points and in the head to head with the Reds, each side recorded a win each on their home patch. Two Oli Roberts goals gave Colne a 2-0 win in September, and in January, despite two late strikes from Reece Webb-Foster, an earlier brace from Jamie Rainford and one from Keaton Mulvey gave the Hillmen all three points in a 3-2 victory. In this season’s reverse fixture in late October, the Reds travelled to Surrey Street and recorded their first away win of the season, when Enock Lusiama’s second half header separated the two sides.
This season Glossop have won 6, drawn 6 and lost 11, which gives them 24 points from 23 games and places them 17th in the league table. Away from home the Hillmen have won twice as many games as at Surrey Street. Victories have been achieved at Witton Albion 1-0, Skelmersdale United 2-0, 1874 Northwich 2-0 and City of Liverpool 3-0. After a 1-0 home victory over Emley in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, they were knocked out at the next stage 1-2 at Liversedge. In the FA Trophy, Glossop were eliminated at the first qualifying stage, losing 1-2 at Ramsbottom United. In their last fixture last Saturday, the Hillmen were defeated 1-3 away at second placed Leek Town, with Niall Moran getting their consolation in the last minute. This came on the back of an excellent 3-0 win at City of Liverpool just four days before, with a goal from Jacques Etia and a brace from Moses Yoak.
Glossop North End players to watch - Cameroon born striker Jacques Etia joined the club from Ashton United in September and has scored 6 times already. The 20 year old was a youth at Rotherham United before signing for Sheffield FC, then had a spell at Ollerton Town.
Former Rochdale pro and FC United striker Keaton Mulvey joined GNE last November. The 21 year old scored 6 times in the second half of last season and has netted 5 times this term.
21 year old Luke Nock was another who came through the youth system at Rochdale, and he arrived at Glossop 12 months ago via Stockport county. Luke has scored 5 times so far this season from midfield.
Another young midfielder who came through Stockport’s academy is summer signing Jack Hopkins and he has 23 appearances to his credit since he joined the club.
Sekouba Sanogo is a French National defender who signed for Glossop from Macclesfield just over a year ago. He is a left wing back and has made 25 appearances for the Hillmen this season, scoring twice.
Finley Stanyer is a 20 year old centre half, yet another former Stockport youngster, and he’s already become an established defender at the club, representing GNE 24 times this season.
Only two years ago 21 year old striker Harry Freedman (son of Dougie), was snapped up by Crystal Palace from Stalybridge Celtic. He was then signed on a free transfer by Macclesfield, and he has joined the Hillmen on a season long loan, scoring 2 goals since August.
Midfielder Moses Yoak is in his second spell at the club. The 24 year old has moved around since leaving Glossop including an excellent season last year at Longridge Town scoring 12 times and contributing 11 assists. Moses played at step 3 with Stalybridge Celtic for the first half of this season and only joined the Hillmen in January scoring 2 goals on his debut.
29 year old attacking midfielder Nathan Valentine joined the Hillmen on Friday. The box to box midfielder is very experienced and can count on Scarborough, Stalybridge, Matlock and a host of other clubs on his CV. Nathan played in the first half of the season at Tadcaster Albion.
Glossop are managed by former Warrington Town boss Stuart Mellish, who took over in May ‘21, when Peter Band left to take up the assistant manager’s job at Macclesfield.
Last time out for the Reds - Colne travelled to in-form, 5th placed Mossley, looking for their first win of 2023, after registering two draws so far this year. The Reds started with a 352 formation with Tom Fagan recalled to the side, replacing Glenn Steel (work commitments), and new loan signing Alex Henderson coming in for Lucas Weaver who dropped to the bench. Winstanley, Hoyle and Dugdale manned the defence with McCann sitting behind Henderson and Carney in central midfield and Roberts and Fagan on the flanks.
Not much to report from the first half other than Enock Lusiama producing a sublime turn to beat the defence, but slamming his effort over the bar and the same striker saw a left foot thunderbolt turned away by Watson in the Mossley goal. Mossley’s danger man Mason Fawns had a tame effort easily saved and he was feeding on scraps for the first 45. Into the second half and after an even start, on 62 minutes, an Owen Watkinson cross found Oli Roberts in space down the left. Oli pulled the ball down and inside with his left foot and arrowed a right foot strike into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance, and putting in a claim for goal of the season.
Enock Lusiama then raced through on goal but pulled his effort wide with the keeper beaten. Mossley then woke up and introduced Sean Etaluku to their attacking force. They pressed the Colne goal which saw left back Freddie Sass clip an effort onto the bar and Jack Banister thump a left foot effort onto the upright. Their pressure told and with 15 minutes remaining, a left-field cross eventually found the now central Fawns and he managed to stab home the equaliser through a crowded Colne box.
The home side went looking for a winner, and after a series of corners Oli Roberts headed a certain Shane Killock goal off the line, much to the Reds’ relief. Late on Lusiama and Fagan were replaced by Kyobe and Weaver as Colne defended deeper. McCann dropped back to right back and Roberts to left back, as a 541 formation successfully helped the Reds defend their well earned point. Craig Carney was influential in both halves of the pitch, but Oli Roberts’ wonder strike and his defending positioning earned him the man of the match. Colne’s point moved them up to 14th spot with 24 points from 21 games.
Who’s on Ashh’s couch? - Matty Kardacz is recovering from a grade 1 MCL knee tear, but could be back training in 1-2 weeks.
Hakan Burton continues his rehabilitation, which could see him return in 4-5 weeks. The Colne keeper is now back in full training.
Aaron Turner is now awaiting surgery for his knee/MCL issue.
Jack Doherty has now had surgery on his ACL injury and will begin his rehabilitation when ready under the watchful eye of Accrington Stanley. This injury has ruled him out for the season.
Team news - Glenn Steel is still away so he won’t be available. Alex Henderson joined the Reds from Accrington Stanley last week and he played last Saturday at Mossley. The 18 year old is a central midfielder, who has signed for Colne on a work experience loan for an initial month. Other than the injuries mentioned, Phil Brown should have a squad of 17 to choose from.
Glossop North End have plummeted down the table since the Reds turned them over in October when they were in 10th place. They have won just once in their last 10 outings conceding 23 goals. The Hillmen are in 16th place, 2 places below Colne with the same number of points, but having played 2 games more. They were comfortably beaten 1-3 at Leek Town in their last fixture last Saturday and they are currently 6 points above the relegation places. Colne on the other hand have lost just once in 11 games and are slowly but surely climbing the table, helped by a 1-1 draw away to 5th placed Mossley last Saturday.
The Glossop manager Stuart Mellish will be looking for a reaction from his side, after describing them as sloppy and very poor last weekend. His opposite number Phil Brown will be pleased with his side’s unbeaten run of 6 (5 draws), but will be trying to work out how to turn the draws into wins. Phil has more or less a full squad to choose from and packing the middle of the park last week certainly helped them collect a point away at a top 5 and in-form side. Whichever formation the Colne boss chooses, he will be confident that if he can get his strikers firing, the Reds should be able to make home advantage count and bank three points before they make the trip to leaders Macclesfield next weekend.
Admission Prices are:
Adults : £9
Concessions : £6
Under 16’s : £1
Under 12’s - Free
Dog friendly
Holt House
Harrison Drive
Colne
BB8 9SF
Upcoming games
Sat 28th January - Macclesfield v Colne - 15:00 NPL West
Tues 31st January - Kidsgrove Athletic v Colne - 19:45 NPL West
Sat 4th February - Colne v Runcorn Linnets - 15:00 NPL West
Today’s NPL West games - 15:00
Bootle v Runcorn Linnets
Hanley Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
Leek Town v Mossley
Newcastle Town v Macclesfield
Ramsbottom United v 1874 Northwich
Trafford v Clitheroe
Widnes v City of Liverpool
Witton Albion v Prescot Cables
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