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United look to bounce back!
After all the energy and focus on the Budweiser voting which has now finished, thoughts turn back on to the pitch as United have a big 5 days.
Tomorrow sees the 1st team travel to Barnsley to face a strong Athersley Rec who took a good point of table topping Tadcaster Albion last week. This is followed by United hosting Carlton Town Weds in the replayed semi final of the Notts Senior cup semi final at GREENWICH AVENUE 7.45PM KO.
Manager Martin Carruthers will seek a big response from the squad after last weeks shocker that resulted in a 9 game 100% record going up in smoke via a 5-0 smashing by lowly Maltby Main.
At last some good news sees the likelyhood of some key returns in the build up to the Carlton game. Goalkeeper Ali Barcherini returns to the United squad for the 1st time since sustaining a broken jaw Dec 21st v Thackley. The big keeper has understandably undertaken a careful recuperation and is close to 100%. United have been really well served by relative youngster Andy Fretwell who has registered some impressive displays that have won us points during Ali,s absence. Also likely to return to action is Theo Smith who served a 3 game suspension that overlapped the bad weather resulting in a 6 week absence for the powerhouse flanker. 4 more players who missed last weeks game are expected to return to the squad. Greg Simmonds Martin Holt, Mark Brooks & Franny Green have all responded very well this week to treatment, and have been given the all clear by physio Cameron Nind to return to action. Great news for the management team who will be more than happy to have some great options available for the 1st time in many a week. Midfielder Lee Hendrie is another close to full fitness and the Ex Villa midfielder has been training hard for the last 2 weeks with Villa but is likely to be held back until Weds cup game.
United following tomorrows game turn total attention to the Carlton town rematch Weds at Greenwich Avenue. The unlikely bonus of the game switching to Greenwich Avenue via a rule in the handbook is a big bonus for us. In the 1st encounter pretty close to call so expect more of the same as both sides look to progress to the final v Rainworth at the back end of April.
Full squad for both games
Barcherini,Fretwell,Miles,Boafo,Fletcher,Craven, Leslie,Holt,Davies,Green,Smith F,Francis,Hendrie,Brooks,Smith T,Nightingale,Whitehurst,Anderson,Simmonds,Carruthers.