His deputy, Nat Wallace making it a difficult choice following his performance on the right hand side. It’s a headache the boss is pleased to have though, as it shows the continued improvements he is seeing within his squad. Ashton, managed by the experienced Steve Cunningham, slipped to their first home defeat of the season on Saturday, when they were toppled by league leaders’ Radcliffe. Cunningham has assembled an experienced side down at Hurst Cross, including former Lincoln City man, Sean Newton and ex Trinity winger, Alex Byrne.

Forwards, Jason Gilchrist & Marcus Cusani have been around at the level for a number of years, while the Robins can also rely upon the creativity of former Walsall and Fylde man James Hardy. The Gainsborough back line will certainly need to be on form, as this promises to be one of the toughest tests of the season at home, so far… but recent performances have shown, the Blues can mix it with the best in the division.

Trinity beat Cunningham’s Ashton on the way to the Pitching In Northern Premier League play-off’s last season, with Harry Lewis netting a brace that day, the other goal coming from Clayton Donaldson. That result in February completing an impressive double, after the Holy Blues had won the reverse fixture at the Northolme by two goals to nil. Curtis Durose & Liam Waldock striking early for Trinity. More of the same on Tuesday night will ensure the Holy Blues can continue their rise up the table, a rise in no small part to the ten points from fifteen picked up, under the management of Russ Wilcox and Darryn Stamp.

Ashton’s home form has been the secret to their successes so far this season. Only defeat at the weekend to Radcliffe denting their impressive winning streak on home turf. Away from home however, they have struggled, only picking up six points from five on the road, with a negative nine goal difference. Five nil defeats away at Workington and Macclesfield, and a 2-0 loss to Warrington Rylands have been tempered with a 3-1 win away at Whitby and a 1-0 win away at Guiseley. It’s fair to say the Robins have been a bit up and down in recent weeks, but overall consistency, seem them in the play-off spots on merit. Something the Holy Blues will be targeting moving forward.

Join us as the Kal Group Stadium as we go toe to toe with another of the high-flying sides. Tickets on the gate are priced at £13 adults, £9 concessions & £5 Under 16s, so get yourselves along, be loud, be proud and be together. It makes a huge difference to the players and management!

Matchday Programme

Our Matchday Programme is available on the turnstiles, priced at £2.50. Nat Wallace features on the front cover, in one of his many tussles down the Workington left. The photo captured by one of our fantastic volunteers, Dave Bury, who was on camera duty at the weekend. From within the camp, you can hear from boss, Russ Wilcox, club captain, Dylan Cogill & Co-Chairman, John Myskiw.

Regular features from the Non League Paper, Phil Anderson (View from Carlilse Street) and Steve Andrews’ From Under the Bed, give plenty of reading about the Holy Blues from yester-year, plus there’s all the regular bits from our opposition – and information on how to get involved in terms of sponsorship opportunities. Get yours on the gate, as numbers are limited!

Elsewhere

Bradford Park Avenue host Whitby Town on Monday evening, then coupled with the Tuesday night fixtures, it’s a full programme of midweek games, in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, can the Holy Blues close the gap on the play-off places?

Bamber Bridge vs Warrington Rylands
FC United of Manchester vs Atherton Collieries
Guiseley vs Marine
Hyde United vs Ilkeston Town
Lancaster City vs Morpeth Town
Macclesfield vs Worksop Town
Marske United vs Workington AFC
Matlock Town vs Basford United
Radcliffe vs Stafford Rangers

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)