Non-league football: Shaun Hollinshead eyes better luck for Kidsgrove

KIDSGROVE boss Shaun Hollinshead is hoping for a change of fortune when his side travel to Lincoln United tomorrow.

Hollinshead's side were agonisingly close to a morale-boosting victory at home to Belper last Saturday, only to be denied in the seventh minute of injury-time when the visitors scored a deflected free-kick to secure a 2-2 draw.

That was galling for Hollinshead who didn't think Belper should have been awarded the free-kick in the first place, and was aghast at the amount of injury-time.

He said: "I'll never know where the referee found all that added time from.

"I said to the assistant referee, 'I've got Fergie's watch on, come on this game should have been done ages ago'."

Kidsgrove had hoped to set the record straight after losing 5-1 at Belper the previous week when James Curley was sent off after just eight minutes.

But Hollinshead saw plenty of positives in Saturday's home game which featured goals from Shane Reaney and Curley to put his side 2-0 up.

He added: "We played well and scored some good goals to get in front, but Belper are a good side and I can't take that away from them."

Hollinshead has been on the look-out for a striker since Andy Kinsey left for Leek last month.

He has made an inquiry for Norton United striker Darren Chadwick, but in the meantime has Alan Nagington fit again after recovering from a calf strain.

His main injury concern for Saturday is keeper Danny Read, who has a hamstring problem.

Hollinshead added: "Danny has ben struggling a little, but I have Dave Dyson, so between them I have two of the best keepers locally."

Meanwhile, Kidsgrove midfielder Jack Sherratt is poised to find out whether he has earned a contract with a Football League club.

Sherratt has been training with Swindon this week, having spent a week with Leyton Orient in February.

The 19-year-old, from Alsager, is through to the final three of a national Samsung competition, from which two hopefuls with be awarded a deal at either Swindon or League One rivals Orient.

NEWCASTLE Town are hoping to have defender Cliff Moyo and midfielder Christian Millar fit for tomorrow's game at home to promotion-chasing King's Lynn.

Moyo is back in contention after an ankle problem and Millar could shake off a knee injury as Newcastle attempt to bounce back from Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Stamford.

The trip to promotion-chasing Stamford was always going to be a tall order, but Newcastle boss John Diskin felt his side could have got something out of the game.

He said: "We conceded early after giving away a stupid free-kick.

"But then in the second half, they scored their second just after we had hit the post.

"It could have been 1-1 instead of 2-0, but then we did run out of steam in the last 20 minutes."

Alsager have made an approach to sign winger Jack Harrison, but Diskin is hopeful the former Stoke City Academy player will decide to stay with Newcastle.

LEEK Town's transfer-listed striker Matt Haddrell has attracted interest from Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clubs Grantham Town and Leeds-based Garforth Town.

However, the 31-year-old is hopeful of finding a club closer to his Potteries home.

Meanwhile, Leek manager Lee Casswell has added coaches Martin Prentice and Jason McGuire to his backroom team.

Prentice and goalkeeping coach McGuire have had experience in the Blue Square League with Tamworth and Eastwood Town respectively.

Leek entertain Carlton Town tomorrow and will be hoping to reproduce the form they showed in Tuesday's 6-1 win at bottom-club Hucknall Town.

Tim Grice and Peter Wright netted two goals apiece, while Dan Shelley and Michael Thomas were also on the scoresheet.

New signing Andy Kinsey missed the win with an ankle injury and is also doubtful for tomorrow's game.