Non League: Sheffield FC and Stocksbridge Park Steels latest

Sheffield FC take on Carlton Town at the Home of Football as they look to end their scoring drought by clocking up a first win in six games.
Sheffield FC's Ross Goodwin (left) one of three players missing this weekend through suspension. Pic by Ben WebsterSheffield FC's Ross Goodwin (left) one of three players missing this weekend through suspension. Pic by Ben Webster
Sheffield FC's Ross Goodwin (left) one of three players missing this weekend through suspension. Pic by Ben Webster

Club are without a goal in the last three outings and have not picked up maximum points since the end of February. Manager James Colliver said: “I don’t think we’ve had the rub of the green in the last few games. We’ve hit the post and crossbar a few times on another day they go in for you.

“What’s important is that we’re getting into right areas. If you are patient then your going to score. We just need that bit of luck in front of goal, one that hits the post and goes in, bobble or scuffed shot something that just goes our way. We’ve taken two points from five games - that’s not good enough.”

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Club have not been helped a series of injuries and weather-affected fixture list over the past few weeks. Colliver said: “It’s been stop-start lately and injuries knocked us off our stride. We’ve now got suspensions coming up with Ross Godwin, Ant Wilson and Danny South all out this weekend.

“I’m not happy with the discipline. We move on to Carlton this weekend, we had them watched in midweek but it’s all about focussing on ourselves and what we do and getting some consistency in the remaining games.”

Colliver is contemplating handing young striker Mohammed Tijani a starting berth.”

Stocksbridge Park Steels boss Chris Hilton could be forced into the loan market ahead of their weekend trip to Stamford.

Sheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben WebsterSheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben Webster
Sheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben Webster
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Steels are missing leading scorer Joe Lumsden and Ashley Burbeary with injury and could be without midfielder Adam Hinchliffe and skipper Liam McFadyen after the pair picked up hamstring injuries in Tuesday’s defeat at Carlton Town. Jack Poulton is also unavailable. “We’re a bit stretched so we might have to dip into the loan market” said Hilton. “We could have Ash Burbeary back and we’re hoping that Fads might make it.”

He added: “We want to go there with a strong as squad as possible because we know its a game we need to win.”

The Steels boss was bitterly disappointed wit the defeat at Stamford and felt his side should had come away with all-three points.

“We’ve hit the crossbar twice and the post then Dave Reay hits a sweet shot and it smacks the keeper in the face. Then we’ve had a blatant handball on the line not given. It’s just the way things are going for us at the moment.

Sheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben WebsterSheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben Webster
Sheffield FC boss James Colliver feels his side have not had rub of green in recent games. Picture by Ben Webster
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“The goal was disappointing because its an own-goal on the stroke of half-time. Its a mix up between Dave (Reay) and George (Grayson) and richochets into the net. We are creating plenty of chances and dominating games more so than last season but we’re just not finishing teams off. It’s frustrating because we’re not where we want to be at this stage of the season.”

Steels will be looking to complete the league double over Stamford following a comfortable 4-0 victory at Bracken Moor in December, while the hosts will be aiming to make it five without defeat.

Shaw Lane can take another step to sealing the Division One South title with a win at play-off chasing Basford United. The Ducks remain nine-points clear at the top after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Romulus on Tuesday.

Fixtures

Premier Division: Ashton United v Matlock Town, Frickley Athletic v Halesowen Town, Rushall Olympic v Buxton.

Division One South: Basford United v Shaw Lane AFC, Sheffield FC v Carlton Town, Stamford v Stocksbridge Park Steels.