Non League: Stocksbridge Steels, Sheffield FC, Frickley, Shaw Lane round-up

Stocksbridge Park Steels play host to Corby Town in a contest that sees eighth take on ninth with the two teams both looking to secure a play-off place.
Stocksbridge midfielder Todd Jordan will miss Saturdays game against Corby Town through suspension. Picture: Gillian HandisidesStocksbridge midfielder Todd Jordan will miss Saturdays game against Corby Town through suspension. Picture: Gillian Handisides
Stocksbridge midfielder Todd Jordan will miss Saturdays game against Corby Town through suspension. Picture: Gillian Handisides

The visitors dropped out of the top six following a run of six league defeats that only ended with a 2-0 home win over Loughborough Dynamo last weekend. They go into the game one point behind Steels, having played two more games.

“Its the start of an important period for us with three games over the next eight days” said Steels boss Chris Hilton.

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“We’re at home so we need to make that count, the surface is looking good which will allow us to play our creative style.

“We go to Gresley on Tuesday then Chasetown next Saturday, who like us are looking to get into the play-offs. We’ll be aiming to try win all three but we’ll certainly be looking for at least seven-points.”

Steels go into the game on the back of a 2-0 win at Market Drayton Town. “It was a good performance” said Hilton. “If it wasn’t for their ‘keeper it would had been six or seven, he pulled off some fantastic saves.”

Corby won the reverse fixture 2-1 in September with Scott Ruthven scoring a last minute consolation goal. Stocksbridge will be without Todd Jordan (suspension) and Jack Poulton.

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Meanwhile, former Stocksbridge midfielder Harrison Biggins made his full league debut for Fleetwood Town in the 2-1 defeat against Portsmouth on Tuesday after joining the Division One side in the summer.

Sheffield FC host Romulus in what is a proverbial six-pointer.

Just one point separates the two teams with Romulus one place above next to bottom club, having played three games more.

Club, who were beaten 4-0 at leaders Basford United in the last outing, will be looking for a first win since New Year’s Day.

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“Its a must-win game there is no other way of talking about it,” said Shaw. “We’ll instil in the players the importance of three-points, and certainly whatever team we put out I’ll expect them to win.

“If we don’t manage the win, it’s not the end of the world but a team around us will have taken points. We need to beat the teams that are around us, if you do that then it takes care of itself.

“It’s a great chance for us to move a couple of places up the table and push away from the relegation area, we have to make sure we don’t let that chance slip away.”

Shaw was disappointed that his side fell away in the second half at Basford after holding the leaders at 0-0 until just after the break. He said. “They are a good side and use the pitch (3g) really well.

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“The first half was very encouraging and I thought we did well. But I was disappointed how we ended the game, we didn’t show enough fight and spirit for me.”

Frickley Athletic go to promotion rivals Bedworth United looking for a first win in four games, knowing that three point would see them leapfrog the hosts back in to third place.

Shaw Lane will hope to complete a quick-fire league double when they take on Coalville Town at Sheerian Park, just over two week after the Ducks triumphed 3-1 at Coalville.

Premier Division: Buxton v Stourbridge, Halesowen Town v Matlock Town, Shaw Lane v Coalville Town..

Division One South: Bedworth United v Frickley Athletic, Sheffield FC v Romulus, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Corby Town.