Sherriff rides to the rescue

Forward Dennis Sherriff has made the short journey from Conference North Stalybridge Celtic to reinforce neighbours Ashton United, writes Jez Sayle.

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Robins announced on Wednesday night that Sherriff, pictured, had signed for Robins manager Danny Johnson.

The Premier Division boss secured his services with long-term casualty Ben Deegan likely to be ruled out for the season and top scorer Aaron Burns currently on the casualty list with continuing hamstring problems. Sherriff is expected to go straight into Johnson's squad for Saturday's tricky trip to third placed Marine on Merseyside.

The striker, 21 next week, was a prolific marksman as a youth with Rochdale and continued scoring after joining Woodley Sports following his release from Spotland, netting over 40 goals to earn a move to Celtic in 2010.

At Bower Fold Sherriff was the top scorer for Celtic’s reserve XI with more than 30 strikes in his first season before breaking into the first team to score on his Conference North debut.

Stalybridge manager Jim Harvey has helped broaden his experience with successful loan spells at Evo-Stik NPL clubs Worksop Town, Radcliffe Borough and Nantwich Town, Sherriff scoring for all three.