Introductory notes to tonights programme – unfortunately, time constraints meant that the management team’s usual column couldn’t be filed. Full programme available on the gate, £2.

Good evening and welcome to tonight’s Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup tie against Evostik Northern Premier League side Droylsden. We welcome their officials, players and supporters to Brookburn Road, on what is their first competitive visit to our ground and we hope they enjoy our hospitality this evening.

Droylsden currently sit in 17^th place in the NPL division 1 West, albeit they have several games in hand on all the teams immediately above them. They have a long and proud history in non league football and were playing in the Conference North as recently as 2013. Since then they have endured problems off the field which have seen them fall to their present level, however under long serving Chairman and Manager Dave Pace we are sure they will soon begin to climb the pyramid again. They have an excellent record in this competition, boasting a record 24 Cup Final appearances including 13 wins, 2^nd only to Ashton United’s 15 wins.  They are a competitive and well drilled team who will be a tough test for us this evening. Of course we have our own fond memory of this competition, when we made the semi final 2 seasons ago only to lose to FC United on a memorable evening for the club in front of a bumper crowd.

Our recent results have not improved although performances have been more like our usual standard. We were particularly unfortunate last Tuesday against a very good Barnoldswick side. Having battled hard to get into a 2-1 lead we were the victims of a dubious penalty against us which gave our opponents a way back into the game which they grabbed with both hands and scored a late winner to leave us pointless. To compound matters the referee admitted to the players at the end of the game he had made a mistake, which is very commendable on his part but it doesn’t give us back the point (or 3) which we deserved.

On Saturday we faced the daunting prospect of taking on league leaders City of Liverpool, with additional injuries to Joe Shaw, Saul Brew-Butler and Junior dos Santos to contend with as well as our ever growing long term injury list. We started off with the plan of trying to contain them but were immediately undone by conceding another penalty after only 5 minutes, which was even more dubious than the Barnoldswick one. City of Liverpool have 3 of the quickest and sharpest forwards in the league including the prolific Craig Cairns and showed why they are one of the title favourites. To our credit the lads never stopped battling but eventually fell to a 4-0 defeat.

Supporters will now be aware that Matty Kay has returned to the club as Assistant Manager. With current Assistant Steve Brockley looking to take time off as he and his partner Emma await the birth of their 1^st child it was an appointment the club was pleased to make and we are delighted to welcome Matty back to the club.

Our ladies put up brave performance against Bolton Wanderers ladies in the Womens FA Cup before going down 4-0. They next play here on 21 October against Didsbury ladies in the Manchester Cup.

Our next game is here on Saturday 13 October when we entertain Congleton Town. This is ‘non league’ day and the club has designated the day ‘Football for All’.

In conjunction with local charities we are offering free admission to their workers, volunteers and service users, people who for many reasons might not in normal circumstances be able to watch a game.  We look forward to welcoming them to the game.

Thank you for visiting Brookburn Road and have a safe journey home.