Preview: Brackley Town vs Warrington Town
Warrington Town are back on their travels this Saturday, with a tough test away at unbeaten Brackley Town.
The Yellows were beaten twice over the August bank holiday weekend and will be eager to bounce back at the first attempt as they look to climb back into the top half of the National League North table.
Below, we’ve compiled everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.
Team news
The Yellows will be boosted by the return of midfielder Bohan Dixon, who has served the three match ban incurred following his red card against Blyth Spartans last month.
Jordan Buckley is pushing for his first start since returning from injury, but this game is expected to come too soon for captain Josh Amis and midfielder Matty McDonald, both of whom continue to work their way back towards full fitness.
Jay Harris (groin) remains out, and Evan Gumbs will also be absent as the club waits to hear the extent of a suspected hernia injury.
Mark Beesley preview
Warrington Town manager Mark Beesley says his squad must learn to cope better without some of their key personnel.
Evan Gumbs has become the latest influential player to be sidelined through injury, but Beesley insists his group cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves.
“We’ve got key players out. It could be said that I’m making excuses but I’m not. They’re facts – they are key players for us,” he told the Warrington Guardian.
“We need to get them back as quick as we can but if we can’t, we need to find a way of competing better than we have been doing.
“We’ve got to stick together at this point – I know the supporters will stick with us and it’s important we stick together as a group.
“We’ve got three league games coming up before a breather for the FA Cup and it’s really important that we take points from them.”
Tom Hannigan preview
Warrington Town defender Tom Hannigan insists the squad are capable of bouncing back quickly following their disappointing August bank holiday double-header.
Hannigan started both games over the bank holiday weekend, and the 35-year-old admits the volume of football played might’ve caught up with a squad that has been decimated by injuries in the early weeks of the season.
“With the disruptions so far to the playing squad for a number of reasons, I think we’d have taken nine points at this stage,” he said.
“The bank holiday weekend didn’t go to plan, but these things can happen, and with our squad stretched, it probably showed.
“We’ll regroup this week. Bohan is back from suspension, which gives us a lift, and hopefully one or two more will be closer to fitness in the coming weeks.
“In terms of Saturday, Brackley are renowned for being play-off contenders season after season, but it’ll be another good test for us.
“We believe that if we perform to our capabilities, we can give any team a game in this division. If we take care of our performances and cut out the soft mistakes, there’s no reason why we can’t come back with a positive result.”
Match information
Saturday’s National League North fixture at St James Park kicks off at 3pm. Match tickets, available to buy online or at the turnstiles, are priced as follows:
- Adults: £15
- Concessions: £10
- U18s: £5
- U10s: £2
- U5s: FREE
For supporters who cannot attend, live audio coverage will be available via the Yellows Mixlr channel.
Buy your tickets for Saturday’s game at Brackley Town.
