Former Trophy finalists host Danny’s boys

Having disposed of divisional rivals, Droylsden and Tadcaster Albion, in the FA Trophy so far, Reds continue their adventure with a trip to play 1990 finalists Leek Town on Saturday (3pm).

The Staffordshire club operate from the South East Division of the NPL and will prove the toughest test so far on the evidence of their impressive start to the season. They are currently 4th in their section having obtained twenty three points from ten games played.

Danny Grainger was hoping to travel with the same squad that did so well at Tadcaster on Tuesday, but will have to make at least one change as in-form marauding left back, Liam Brockbank, is on Futsal duty with the FA. The Millom teenager has been in great form in recent weeks and will be missed at Harrison Park.

Jim Atkinson proved his fitness at Thursday’s training session and will play.

It is nearly fifteen years since Reds and Leek played the last of their fourteen previous meetings and the outcome that day was a 1-1 draw. In the first eight encounters between the clubs, Reds failed to win any but that record has improved in the latter six matches.

Should Saturday’s encounter result in a draw, the replay will be at Borough Park on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Leek have pedigree in the competition, of course, and actually reached the 1990 final at the old Wembley losing 3-0 to Barrow.

To date, they have knocked out Newcastle Town and Chasetown which, coincidentally, are two of the teams Reds have overcome in recent seasons.

Prize money for this stage of the Trophy is £3,000 with the losers compensated to the tune of £1,000.

Addmission:
Adult – £9
Concession – £6
8 – 16 year olds – £3
U8s – free
Mileage: 168 miles
Postcode: ST13 8LD