It’s derby day and we’re ready..
You can’t beat a bank holiday derby and that’s exactly what’s on the menu for fans of both ourselves and Hanley and indeed many other local clubs this afternoon.
Our first local derby of the season comes at a great time for us. Managers and players will always tell you that the thing you most need after a morale-boosting win is another chance to go out and prove your worth again. And we’ve got that today.
Spirits are high are after our first league win of the season against Mossley and just as our gaffer Paul Moore achieved in his first two games at the back end of last season, tomorrow represents another opportunity to secure back-to-back wins.
We came through Saturday’s game without any further injuries and the two Joes, Thompson and Berks will also be added to the squad for the trip to our local rivals.
Hanley have had a mixed start to the season. They’ve come through two rounds of FA Cup qualifying and go again in the cup on Saturday against Anstey Nomads. But while the cup has offered plenty of solace, their league form has been patchy. They came away from Trafford with a point but lost to both Stalybridge and early season pacesetters Kidsgrove, so they’ll be looking to get off the mark against us.
The fixture, as well as giving the obvious chance to secure local bragging rights, also provides an opportunity to see how we go against our former captain James Askey. James bagged the winner for his new team in their FA Cup win over Stourport Swifts last Tuesday but the main goal threat for the home side will most likely come from Tyrone Ofori, who has already scored five goals for Hanley this season.
Derbies are often unpredictable and as the saying goes, form often goes out the window. But we’re going into this game in a very good place and with a squad that’s starting to tick. So please, if you can get along to Hanley this afternoon and support Paul and the boys, do it. It should be a cracking game.
Come on ‘Castle!