New faces arrive as Shelley search for first win in six
SHELLEY manager Ash Berry has brought in two new players as he tries to freshen up his side’s Hallmark Security North West Counties League challenge.
Forwards Brad Riley and Jacob Buchanan have made the 12-mile switch from Liversedge, of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, to the Stafflex Arena.
And the Huddersfield-based pair are in contention for debuts today as Shelley, seeking a first win in six First Division North games, head to Garstang, who have claimed four successive victories.
Both Shelley’s 21-goal top scorer Craig Billington and versatile Carlton Pownall are suspended for the visit to The Riverside, so the double signing is timely.
Riley, who is 26 on Monday, has Northern Premier League experience with Frickley Athletic, Sheffield, Ossett Town and Brighouse Town.
Buchanan, 22, was at Brighouse and caught the eye during spells at Bradford side Campion and Shelley’s neighbours AFC Emley before joining Liversedge.
Berry also has centre-back Dan Lockwood, midfielder Jack Davies and frontman Josi Bradshaw back in the frame after injury.
“We’ve been a bit patchy of late, and we haven’t been helped by suspensions and injuries, while a few of the lads have been carrying knocks,” said the boss, whose side are ninth.
“We always knew it was probable that we’d have a spell of inconsistency like this, and it’s a case of knuckling down and working hard to get back to the level we know we are capable of.
“Having a few more options will help us, and I’m pleased to have got the new lads in and to have a few more players coming back to fitness.”
Shelley pushed leaders Longridge Town before going down 2-1 at the Stafflex Arena last Saturday, and Berry added: “That performance was more like it.”
It’s the first of three successive away games, with trips to Prestwich Heys and AFC Liverpool to come before the visit of St Helens Town on Saturday, February 2. But six of Shelley’s 10 wins to date have been on opposition soil, and Berry insisted: “We respect all opponents, but we don’t fear any.”
Garstang’s latest win came by a 5-4 margin at home to Chadderton on Wednesday and left them two places and two points behind Shelley.
Berry continued: “They have had a good run of late and they are breathing down our necks, so we need to go there and give it a really good go.”