Rumours that Manager John Still put in a bid to take the cast of Casualty on loan this week proved unfounded but there’s little doubt the club are facing an injury crisis the like of which we haven’t seen for many years. Elliott Johnson and David Tutonda were the latest to join the ever increasing queue for the treatment room both picking up knocks in the 3-1 defeat at Orient. Still has moved to cover the vacancy left in defence by the arrival on loan of 21 year old Zak Jules from Shrewsbury. Happy on the left hand side of defence Jules has been capped by Scotland at youth and under 21 level. Elsewhere there appears to be little positive news on the injury front with the Bees again missing the likes of Callum Reynolds, Andre Boucard, Dave Tarpey, and Ricardo Santos.
Its the first ever meeting between The Bees and AFC Fylde a club whose rise through the non league ranks from the North West Counties League has been financed by Chairman David Haythornthwaite. The Coasters lost out to Boreham Wood in the play offs last season and have made a confident start this time around, only being beaten by pre season promotion favourites Salford City. Draws have been the order of the day away from home with four so far added to a victory at Ebbsfleet. Its likely to be another testing afternoon for the Bees against visitors who have only conceded six goals in 11 games.
AFC Fylde are based in Wesham just outside Preston the town where the first KFC outside North America opened and the home of Beano’s Bash Street Kids the invention of Preston born Leo Baxendale. Manager Dave Challinor has been at the club for six years and still holds the record for the longest throw in football measured at 46.3 metres while playing for Stockport County.
As usual our commentary team of Pete Hill & Garry Lakin will be live from the Hive with full match coverage on our Saturday Sport Show.
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