New Market Drayton Town boss opens up with abandonment ahead of key clash

New Market Drayton Town boss Liam Kelly is eyeing a spike in form after last week’s appointment - and a contentious opening game at the helm.

Former long-serving Eccleshall boss Kelly, a previous target for the Gingerbread Men, moved to Greenfields late last week after calling time on more than four years at the Staffordshire outfit in the summer.

Last weekend’s opening clash for the new management team ended in unusual and uncertain circumstances at Barnton with an abandonment on the hour mark.

Kelly’s side were 3-0 down after a goalless first half when Town debutant Joe Perry went down with a badly dislocated elbow. The incident occurred during the Cheshire hosts’ third goal.

The defender was in too much discomfort to be moved and, due to the wait for an ambulance, the match officials abandoned the fixture with half an hour remaining.

It is understood Town are awaiting a replay date for the North West Counties First Division South fixture.

Struggling Drayton, meanwhile, head to Stoke outfit Foley Meir on Saturday. Meir are three places and one point better off.

Drayton, winless in 10 in all competitions, are one place above the dropzone.

Kelly, brought to the helm to replace David Lloyd after the latter’s five-month spell, has confirmed Sam Golden as his assistant.

Club stalwart Nigel Wellings remains in place as first-team coach. Alan Sutton is the club’s new goalkeeper coach, with Aaron Kelley remains as physio.

The new appointment recruited Liam Prendergast, Archie Saunders and Miles Bradbury on dual registration deals at the Balufab Stadium ahead of last weekend.

Right-back Prendergast and midfielder Saunders checked in from Brocton, with Bradbury, also a midfielder, in from Hanley.

As well as the injured Perry, the new boss captured the return signing of Reece Taylor, who previously captained the club and his since turned out for Telford Town and Wolverhampton Casuals.