Shropshire Star

Market Drayton Town preparing for defining period

Market Drayton Town head off to old rivals Leek Town tomorrow for the first of three games in eight days that could define their season.

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Town follow up what will undoubtedly be a tight tussle at Harrison Park by hosting Evo-Stik NPL West leaders Atherton Collieries on Tuesday evening and struggling Clitheroe next Saturday.

That’s a fixture line-up full of wildly contrasting challenges – and Town would dearly like to master each and every one of them by signalling an end-of-season flourish for their fans.

Since a very good spell earlier in the campaign ended in a major slump, Town have rallied and are ticking along lower in the table than they would like, but well clear of any real relegation threats.

That has been a success in itself – but now a few good results would provide a very handy boost.

It’s no secret Drayton have one of the tightest budgets in the competition. Far, far short of, for instance, tomorrow’s opponents Leek Town. Yet for the last month or so, both have identical playing records – played five, won one, drawn one, lost three.

Another odd similarity is that the game will see both introduce new young signings from fully professional clubs.

Drayton boss Martyn Davies includes new on-loan youngster from Stoke City, Irish youth international defender Max Murphy and his Leek counterpart Neil Baker has lined up full-back Rio Adebisi from his old club Crewe Alexandra.

Full-back Murphy had been due to join last month but picked up an injury that delayed his arrival.

But an injury sidelined the full-back, who was in his country’s under-17 squad at the European age-group finals so Lewis Macari, grandson of the legendary Lou, took his place instead.

The young Macari is now returning to Stoke with Town’s thanks and best wishes. “He has done a great job for us and if Murphy matches it, he’ll be doing really well,” said Davies.

Tuesday’s visit of Atherton Collieries has been arranged at short notice as last weekend’s original date at Greenfields was one of eight NPL West fixtures to fall foul of the weather.

“There was no way we could have gone ahead without wrecking the pitch for the rest of the season,” said manager Davies.

“We gave the lads the day off rather than get together in such conditions but we’ll have a full scale training session on Thursday.”