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Head to head

26/ 9/2007

BOTH Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United are looking forward to pitting their wits against each other in this weekend's FA Cup second qualifying round.

The match at Bower Fold represents Steve Burr's first 'proper' derby in charge of the home side and is the first competitive encounter between the two since Hyde won 7-3 on New Year's Day.

After two defeats in their first three games, Celtic go into the game with only two losses in their seven matches since, something acknowledged by Tigers' football director Tony Beard.

He said: "Although Hyde fans will be hoping for another 7-3, Stalybridge are a much more difficult proposition this season.

"It's probably the tie that neither club really wanted, but one that the fans did. We're looking forward to it and see it as a chance to show that Steve Waywell's team is moulding into a formidable outfit."

The Tigers will be hoping that Gareth Seddon is available after injury forced him out of Monday's Cheshire Cup defeat against Nantwich Town.

As for Celtic, they have been denied permission to field on-loan Chesterfield midfielder Gareth Davies as the Spireites do not want him cup-tied.

Celtic were also in Cheshire Cup action against Woodley as the Advertiser went to press with Burr looking to rest Mark Haran's groin injury.

He said: "You're always looking for a home tie, I know this will be a mouthwatering game for the supporters.

"I suppose the downside is that one Tameside team will be going out of the competition, hopefully it's not us!

"It doesn't matter where you are, there's always local derbies and this is as fierce as any of them be it Macclesfield and Altrincham or whoever.

"It's a good cup tie to have. Hopefully there should be a good gate there because it's an important game for everybody."