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New dad Jason Cowley could perhaps be on paternity leave for this one to allow him to get some sleep before Tuesday evening’s trip to Buxton. I was genuinely baffled when seeing him sprinting down the tunnel when substituted the other night, and assumed it was a situation akin to Pablo Haysham’s hasty comfort break retreat from proceedings a few seasons ago. It turned out to be something a little more significant though of course, and hopefully all has gone smoothly for the Cowleys over the last few days.
Saturday’s guests Redbridge used to be called Ford United and shouldn’t be confused with Redbridge Forest, who went on to become Dagenham and Redbridge. There, I hope that’s clear.
They play in the Isthmian League North following promotion last season from the Essex Senior League. This is the same level as Anstey Nomads and Cambridge City. Despite going well in this competition (they’ve already played four games to get this far) they’ve lost their last four league games, and have yet to win away in the league all season.
It might perhaps be a bit deflating for Redbridge on what’s a big day out for the club to be playing at an Edgar Street with only one stand and one terrace open, but it seems to make sound financial sense for the club to close the Len Weston Stand for this match.
The starting XI here is anyone’s guess, although on the strength of his performance on Tuesday Koby Arthur may have gone in the space of a week from being a strong contender to start here to get some game time to being one of the ones rested for bigger challenges to come.
Nathan Cameron has put in a lot of hard miles in recent weeks and may appreciate a break, and Kyle Howkins was rested on Tuesday so could come in to replace the club captain. Whether Paul Downing will be given the game as an opportunity to get back up to full fitness following an injury break or not remains to be seen. He looked typically untroubled and entirely up-to-speed on Tuesday though.
Connor Stanley, Jack Tolley and Tom Pugh will all presumably play a part here, with perhaps Pugh and Lassana Mendes starting in central midfield together. All of them will provide the Motormen with tougher challenges than they’re used to at step 4.
With Jordan Cranston available, he could slot in at left back giving Adam Livingstone another opportunity to operate further up the pitch where he seems to flourish, which in turn could allow Yusifu Ceesay the chance to recharge his batteries on the bench.
It was interesting to hear that Paul Caddis and Adam Rooney had experimented with an earlier warm-up against Banbury. It may have been a coincidence but the start made to the actual game was hugely energetic, so perhaps that’s a policy that will continue here. If they’re out on the pitch at about midday that’ll be the reason, although that could result in a barnstorming first five minutes and then exhaustion for the remainder of the game. One seasoned observer feels that Aaron Skinner, who has been so effective recently, only really gets going half an hour or so into games, so perhaps he could be made to start his warm up alone just after he’s had his breakfast so that he hits the ground running at 3pm sharp.
This looks to be a tall order for the Essex side, as they make the long trip seemingly out of form and up against a Bulls side starting to play some very attractive and incisive football. OK the prize money on offer here isn’t massive, £3k or so, but perhaps what’s more important is reinforcing that winning habit in readiness for that encounter on the plastic high up in the Peak District against an admittedly out-of-form Buxton on Tuesday night.
COYW