Non-league football: Home challenges for Sheffield FC and Stocksbridge Park Steels

Sheffield FC boss Andy Kiwomya is desperate for his side to find some much needed momentum as they chase a first win in five matches this weekend.
Sheffield FC winger James Gregory hoping to make a record breaking 77th consecutive start for Sheffield FC this weekendSheffield FC winger James Gregory hoping to make a record breaking 77th consecutive start for Sheffield FC this weekend
Sheffield FC winger James Gregory hoping to make a record breaking 77th consecutive start for Sheffield FC this weekend

Club host play-off hopefuls Chasetown in Evo-Stik League First Division South as they look to end their disappointing run of form.

“We’ll be hoping to get back in the winning groove on Saturday,” Kiwomya said.

Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter RevittStocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter Revitt
Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter Revitt
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“At the moment with injuries, illness and players unavailable we’re not getting a settled team.

“We’ve had to thrown one or two new players in at the deep end without getting time to work with them on the training pitch.

“We haven’t won since beating Stocksbridge just after Christmas so we need a win that will hopefully get us back on track and allow us to build some momentum.

“We’ve got players coming back this weekend so we should be stronger.”

Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter RevittStocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter Revitt
Stocksbridge Park Steels striker Joe Lumsden will miss the visit of Basford United - Pic Peter Revitt
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One man Kiwomya is keen to see return soon is defender Hafeez Hamzat who has missed the last four games with injury.

Kiwomya said: “Hafeez’s hamstring has been more troublesome than first feared.

“He was our most consistent performer before he got injured. We want to get him back as soon as possible but it’s not an injury you can rush.”

Winger James Gregory should be fit to set a new record of 77 consecutive starts despite being withdrawn in the first half of Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat against Leek Town.

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Sheffield won 3-1 at Chasetown in August with goals from Conor Glavin, Shaq McKenzie and Benny Igi-Ehon. Chasetown are looking for a first win in three.

Stocksbridge Park Steels are looking to make it three wins in eight days as they host another play-off hopeful in Basford United.

And boss Chris Hilton expects another tough test for his side.

“They’re fourth in the table and enjoying a good run of results so it’ll be a tough game,” Hilton said.

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“But we’re playing well. We’ve come off the back of two good home wins and the performances have been excellent too.

“We’ve beaten two good teams in Kidsgrove and Daventry who are fighting for the play-offs.

“The team has started to gel nicely and it’s showing in the results.

“We’re up to 12th now and have a good chance of a top six finish.

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“Out first target is to beat last season’s points tally, then get ourselves up in the top ten.

“After that, if we’ve got a chance of the play-offs then we’ll go for it.”

Basford have won their last four outings but Steels are aiming to complete a league double after winning 2-1 in the reverse fixture in August with goals from Richard Patterson and Adam Hinchliffe.

Steels will be without Joe Lumsden, so on-loan Brodie Litchfield from Sheffield United could start up from alongside Scott Ruthven.

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Third-placed Shaw Lane Aquaforce travel to Romulus looking to consolidate a play-off place by completing a league double and netting a fifth away game without defeat.

Fixtures

Saturday

Premier Division: Ashton United v Matlock Town, Buxton v Sutton Coldfield Town, Salford City v Frickley Athletic.

Division One South: Romulus v Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Sheffield FC v Chasetown, Stocksbridge Park Steels v Basford United.