New signing aims to be a 'key figure' - non-league previews

New arrival Owen Beamon wants to become a ‘key figure’ for Market Drayton Town and help them climb the standings, writes Tom Sullivan.

The central defender joined the Gingerbread Men from Daisy Hill, having also represented Sandbach United, Widnes Town, AFC Liverpool, Litherland REMY and Congleton Town.

David Lloyd’s side visit Wednesfield tomorrow (3pm) looking to quash a six-game winless run.

Upon joining, Beamon said: “I know Drayton have been after me for a few years now. I feel this is the right time for me, where I need a local team to play for who will win games and help me progress.

“Even though I’ve played more than 100 games at step five and 30 at step four, I am still young and have a lot to learn.

“Hopefully, both myself and Drayton can progress together and climb the table, and I can become a real key figure at the club and have a place I can feel at home.”

Beamon went straight into the starting XI for his debut, helping Drayton end a run of four consecutive defeats with a 0-0 draw against Widnes in North West Counties League Division One South on Saturday.

They did follow that up with a 2-0 defeat at Shropshire rivals AFC Bridgnorth on Tuesday, ahead of this weekend’s clash with Wednesfield.

The Cottagers go into this mid-table clash off the back of a 6-2 league defeat to Stafford Town, sitting one point ahead of the visitors.

Elsewhere in the North West Counties League, AFC Bridgnorth aim to bolster their promotion case at fellow high-flyers Barnton, who haven’t tasted league defeat since August.

Telford Town sit four points from safety ahead of a home game against Wolverhampton Casuals, who lost last time out but had won their previous five matches.

Dawley Town meet Widnes on the road with plans to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone, while Allscott Heath host a middle-of-the-pack Foley Meir.

Shawbury United have turned a corner since losing seven on the bounce, with the opportunity to now win their fourth game in a row if successful at home to a struggling Cheadle Heath Nomads tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Shifnal Town make a trip to Merseyside in hopes of handing high-flying Bootle just their second league defeat of the season in Northern One West.

Fifth-placed Shifnal - now managed by former Shrewsbury Town star Elliott Bennett - go into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat at home to Witton Albion on Wednesday night.

In the Midland League Premier Division, Whitchurch Alport can make it unbeaten in four when they welcome Uttoxeter Town to Yockings Park.

And Ludlow Town venture to fourth-placed Cheltenham Saracens in Hellenic League Division One, seeking to put a dent in their play-off charge.