WINSFORD United were left kicking their heels on Saturday when their Vodkat Premier League clash with Ramsbottom United was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at the Barton Stadium.
The enforced rest has given manager Joe Gibiliru a chance to run the rule over an unnamed young trialist ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-awaited derby clash at home to Runcorn Linnets (3pm).
If the local lad impresses during training then he will be signed.
Blues boss Gibiliru is looking forward to a feisty encounter in front of what he hopes will be a bumper crowd at the Barton Stadium.
“It should be a good local derby,” he said. “They get a lot of fans supporting them so we should have over 200 watching on Saturday.
“We beat them at their place with a good team performance last time so we’ll be looking to do the same again.
“It was disappointing not to play at the weekend as we were all ready to go but hopefully there won’t be a problem this time.”
Defeat in thriller
BARNTON narrowly missed out on taking points from a seven-goal thriller at Townfield Lane on Saturday.
Mick Duckett’s men went 2-0 up against Stalybridge Celtic Reserves thanks to goals from on-loan signing from Alsager Town Mike Chesters and Michael Sandbach.
But the Cheshire League Division One strugglers could not hold on and gave away a penalty just before the break.
Barnton then conceded three goals before regaining their composure and brought the score back to 4-3 with a Jay Crellin strike.
“We ran out of time,” said manager Duckett. “We got a bit nervous when leading, then we let ourselves down by letting them score three times. We created some chances but the luck just doesn’t seem to go for us at the moment.”
This Saturday, Barnton head to 12th-placed Billinge (2.15pm) for a game which Duckett feels they can win.
“Hopefully we can get some more players in this week and then get a result on Saturday. Billinge don’t concede many goals so it will be a tough game.”
Kicking heels
LOSTOCK’S Cheshire League Division Two match at Golborne Sports on Saturday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Spokesman James Birdsey said: “It was a bit disappointing not to play especially as this weekend we have no fixture again. There are an odd number of teams in the league so it’s just our turn.”
The Grey Lambs are back in action when they host Warrington Town Reserves (3pm) on Saturday, February 7, at Moss Farm.
