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DIAL TO MAKE SEVERAL CHANGES FOR LEAGUE CUP
Brown challenges his players to step up and be counted
DIal are back on the road this evening (20 Oct) when Steve Brown's side face Loxwood in the first round of the Southern Combination Football League Division One Challenge Cup.
Following Saturday's frustrating 1-0 league defeat at home against Hailsham Town, Dial boss Steve Brown will be keen for his side to get back on the scoresheet and progress in the league cup competition.
Today's hosts currently sit just below mid-table in the league but are unbeaten in their last five (league and cup) matches, after a 3-1 win away at Westfield (East Sussex) on Saturday (17 Oct).
However, The Magpies have only found the net more than once in just three of their 18 league and cup fixtures so far this season, and have already been eliminated from The FA Vase, the Peter Bentley Challenge (League) Cup, the Sussex Senior Challenge (County) Cup and the Sussex Principal Royal Ulster Rifles (RUR) Charity Cup.
After receiving a bye in the first round of the Division One Challenge Cup last season, The Magpies went down 3-2 (second round) at home to Oakwood, who went onto reach the final, before losing 4-0 against eventual winners AFC Walcountians.
To help maintain players' match fitness, Brown is expected to make five changes to the squad that came up short against The Stringers on Saturday, with defender Oluwatomiwa 'Tomi' Bankole likely to come in for Ross Ewen on the right, while Miles Davis could come in for Callum Abraham-Barlow on the left.
Aidan Doran is also expected to come into the starting XI ahead of Matt Hinks, who is being partially rested. There is also a place for Luke Taylor in the 16-man squad after he missed Dial's last two league matches against Hailsham Town and Selsey.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper George Mead returns to the fold for the first time in two months after George Douglas has been recalled by Bedfont Sports - his parent club - for their Isthmian Football League South-Central match at home against Hayes & Yeading United this evening.
Speaking to DialSquareFC.com ahead of the match, Brown explained that he would be 'mixing things up' and use the cup competition to give players more game-time.
He said: "There are a few players that are carrying niggling injures and a couple of others that need a rest, which gives a chance for others to step up to stake their claim for a shirt.
"I don't know much about Loxwood, and how they set up, so we will need to be adaptable on the night. That said, we need to impose ourselves on the game from the start. If we execute our game plan to good effect, I see no reason why we can't progress through to the next round."
For fans travelling to Loxwood this evening, you can use our travel guide here.
The winner between Loxwood and Dial will face Reigate Priory, who have received a bye into the second round.
In the other first round ties, Mile Oak lost 2-1 at home to Worthing United, while Cranfield lost 2-0 away at Arundel. In the remaining tie, a date has yet to be set between Jarvis Brook and Hailsham Town.
Other clubs to receive a bye into the next round are: Westfield (East Sussex), Shoreham, Saltdean United, Guildford City, Oakwood, Ringmer AFC, Selsey, East Preston, AFC Walcountians, Dorking Wanderers B, and Inifinity.