MANAGER Tony Hesketh hoped to parade his latest signing to the fans before this league cup match on Tuesday night.

But at the last minute he realised the player was cup tied. So he decided to postpone the signing of central midfielder Mark Bailey released from Winsford United.

Instead the former league player, in his early 20s, is due to sign today (Thursday) and should be in the squad for Friday night's game away at second placed Hyde United.

Tony Hesketh described the forthcoming Friday night match as, "a big game for both clubs." He added: "The pressure's on them to win. The way our back four's been playing I think we can do something there."

He was also looking forward to taking on rivals Preston club Bamber Bridge at home on Tuesday night. Brig beat City in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup last month. Hesketh laughed: "Our players will be told this is an absolute must win game. Nothing but a win will do for that one."

His team's victory in this Tuesday night match was down to teenage hotshot Chris Ward who brought his tally to 10 for the season with the only goal of the game. He scored in the 31st minute when Woking keeper John Armfield fumbled Kevin Barnes' cross.

The win means City have a great chance of winning in the three-club league designed for the league cup competitions. If City end up top it would mean they progress to the quarter final of the prestigious League Challenge Cup. The second placed team will go into the President's Cup while the bottom team will enter the Unifilla Cup. The fans will be hoping that, whichever competition City end up in, the games will be more exciting than this one. That said Workington went all out for goal in the second half but the Blues' defence was typically parsimonious. For City Ward was a constant threat in the game and Sparrow made no mistakes in defence.

Team: Thornley, Kilbane, Graham, Udall, Sparrow, Mayers, Martin (Crompton 56), Haddow, Ward, Barnes (Dickinson 74), Jessop.

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