Market Drayton Town eyeing a return to winning form

Market Drayton face a crunch Greenfields weekend after a slump in form saw Town lose ground in the North West Counties.

Dave Lloyd’s side have dropped to 16th in First Division South, just two places above the drop zone, albeit the cushion is still a healthy seven points.

But the Gingerbread Men welcome the side directly beneath them, one place above the relegation places, at their Balufab Stadium home on Saturday.

Cheshire outfit Crewe are the visitors to Drayton, with just two points separating the sides with Lloyd’s men better off.

Crewe were promotion-winners from the Cheshire County League last season, and are in their debut North West Counties campaign.

Lloyd’s troops were seen off 2-0 at mid-table Cheadle Heath Nomads last weekend, as Louie Clarkson struck after 12 minutes and Jack Higginbottom netted 20 minutes from time.

Town lost defender George Woodroffe to a red card for violent conduct 10 minutes after the interval at 1-0 down.

The defeat left Drayton eight without a win in all competitions prior to this week, six of these coming in league action as Lloyd’s men have lost ground with the middle pack.

There was a debut for star new signing Jamie King at Cheadle as Lloyd boosted his pack with the addition of the experienced forward on the eve of the clash.

King joined from Wednesfield having represented several Shropshire outfits and has a long-standing relationship with the Town boss. Assistant boss Adam Proudlock managed King at Newport Town.

Lloyd said: “Jamie comes to us with a fantastic CV and a wealth of experience at this level.

“He’s a proven attacking player who brings real quality, versatility and a genuine goal threat to our squad.”

Drayton also completed deals to sign midfielder Brodie McLeod from Dawley Town and powerful frontman Justin Iwobi, a former Stoke City youngster.