Non-league previews: Drayton make a quartet of signings
New arrivals at Market Drayton Town have given manager Dan Dawson the chance to field a full squad as his side host Stockport Georgians on Saturday (3pm), writes Dan Hickey.
Dawson is hoping to break into the top half of the North West Counties Division One South table as the arrival of Thomas Horton, Adam Catalano, Reece Vaughan, and Danny Hattersley have bolstered Drayton’s ranks.
As Town aim to build a buffer and move away from the relegation-threatened sides, the Drayton boss is also keeping in mind Stockport talisman Lucas Berry, who currently sits third in the league golden boot race.
Dawson said: “They’re a tidy team, Stockport, really good footballing team. Well coached, well drilled. Lucas Berry, their number nine is a handful.
“He's a good player, he plays off the shoulder really well, and a good finisher, so that'll be a challenge you've got to deal with.
“They’re two points behind us at the minute, so winning Saturday gives us that little bit of a buffer just makes it a five-point gap, which would be big for us, and help keep us in those, solid mid-table positions and hopefully jump New Mills into ninth.
“So yeah, it's going to be a challenging game. We're going to look to play to our strengths and utilise the full squad that we should have available this Saturday, which would be nice for the first time in a while.”
Nantwich Town Under-21s duo Horton and Vaughan are working with Dawson for the first time, while Catalano, from Foley Meir, and Redgate Clayton centre-half Hattersley will be familiar with the Drayton boss’ methods.
“I worked with Danny before for the last, sort of, three years," said Dawson. “He used to play next to our captain, Nick Woods, at centre-back and our current goalkeeper’s played with him for about 10 years as well, so that adds a bit of familiarity to that sort of triangle on the back line, which we're really pleased with."
He added: “Adam Catalano, I have worked with about four years ago at my previous club,
“And then he moved on to North West Counties football, played for Foley (Meir) this year, and he’ll be a good addition full of athleticism.”
Allscott Heath are hoping to escape the Division One South drop zone as they travel to fourth-placed Abbey Hulton United, while Shawbury United play on Friday at league-leaders Winsford United for a chance to climb off the foot of the table.
Second-placed Shifnal Town are favourites as they host Romulus in the Midland League Premier Division with a chance to close the 10-point gap to leaders Lichfield City.
Whitchurch Alport need a win against fourth-placed 1874 Northwich to break into the play-off places. It comes after their unbeaten streak was ended in the Midland League Cup by AFC Wulfrunians.
AFC Bridgnorth are at home against Lutterworth Athletic in Midland One, while in the Hellenic League Ludlow Town host Tytherington Rocks and Telford Town face Saltley Stallions at home in the West Midlands League Premier Division.
