Non-league football: Midfielders are simply the best, says Hollinshead

Vodkat Division One

by Chris Harper

STONE Dominoes manager Shaun Hollinshead believes central midfielders Stuart Scheuber and Nial Maguire are the best in the division.

Not only that, but Hollinshead rates them higher than some pairings in the Premier section.

The youth and experience of the partnership has been instrumental in Dominoes' remarkable run of seven straight wins that has taken them into the top four.

Scheuber, who picked up an FA Vase winners' medal with Nantwich three years ago, is unavailable tomorrow when Dominoes travel to Holker Old Boys, but the manager said: "He scored four in four at the start of the run and is so influential to the team.

"He is an intelligent footballer who gets on with what he does and Nial is learning from him.

"Nial is the skipper who leads by example. He has more energy than Stuart and is bombing all over the pitch, but both are committed players who can win the ball and pass."

Dominoes have teacher Dan Brown back from a school trip to Holland, but Nick Stone and goalkeeper Barry Weston are under treatment for ankle injuries.

NORTON UNITED: Young defender John Beaumont could be set for a run in the side as they aim to plug the gaps.

Norton are conceding too many goals for their liking and in the continued absence of the veteran John Diskin, the 20-year-old Beaumont is heading for his chance.

Assistant manager Dave Johnson said: "We are struggling at the back.

"John came into the side in an emergency at Holker three games ago and did well."

Norton suffered at the hands of AFC Liverpool in their last two games, losing 4-1 on aggregate in their Division One Trophy semi-final and going down 3-0 in the league four days later.

Johnson said: "During our involvement in cup games our league form has dipped but, with nine game left, Our priority is to get as many points as possible and finish in a respectable position."

LEEK CSOB: Old Boys play their last away game of the season at leaders Bootle tomorrow before finishing with five matches at Harrison Park.

Manager Brett Barlow said: "All the home games are winnable and as we are better at home we will be looking to climb the table."

Old Boys face a tough test at Bootle and will be without Mark Thorley (calf strain), James Heath (knee) and the unavailable Mark Fox.

Manager Brett Barlow is able to call on former Newcastle Town player Richard Morton, who is in the area for Easter.

Morton, a former Keele University scholar, scored 40 goals in the Ryman League last season and was formerly on contract with Newcastle Town.

Barlow said: "Richard has not played much this season but he is going to help us out as a one-off."

ECCLESHALL: Manager Dave Dale is handing Dean Latham the goalkeeper's gloves for the testing home game against Oldham Town.

Latham and young Phil Bruce have been sharing duties of late, but Dale has decided the time is right to opt for the greater experience of the former Norton United player.

Dale said: "Phil is coming on nicely and has attracted the attention of Norton and Stone Dominoes.

"We want to keep both keepers, but Phil needs to understand two swallows don't make a summer. He made a couple of mistakes that cost us the game against Irlam last Saturday."

Meanwhile, Danny Hughes, Ryan Miszkiel, Peter Shore, Alex Hutchinson and Adam Soane are all carrying knocks.