IAN Street has kept his word after promising to make changes following 1874 Northwich’s defeat against AFC Liverpool in midweek.

Midfielder Sam Hare has signed from Glossop North End, and is in line to make his debut in this afternoon’s Macron Cup encounter with Padiham.

“I’ve had to act,” he said.

“I’ve been on the lookout for the past couple of weeks, because I suspected a performance like the one we put in on Tuesday was around the corner.

“We can’t lose like that if we want to challenge for promotion, and I’m unconvinced some of the lads we have are capable of being anything other than top-six standard.

“That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with that, as such, but I’m ambitious.

“AFC Liverpool have an aura about them – they’re a no-nonsense side. They’re always up for a battle, and we shirked from it.

“It’s a strong word, but we were cowardly and looked frightened to take them on.

“For me, it’s not acceptable.”

Hare, 24, has made 10 appearances for Glossop this term, eight of those from the substitutes’ bench.

A former junior at Stockport County, he signed for the Hillmen from then North West Counties League rivals Maine Road three years ago.

Street also welcomes back Ryan Mitchell after he completed a three-match ban, but Neil Chappell is still suspended.

Paul Connor (ankle) and Ryan Jackson (knee) are ruled out by injury.

“We’ve people missing, and of course we’ll miss them in big games,” added the 1874 manager.

“That’s what happened in midweek, but we can’t use that as an excuse for playing like we did.

“When we had the ball we made too many sideways passes or looked backwards – lads just handed responsibility to somebody else.

“I wasn’t planning on rotating the side too much for the game against Padiham, but I’ll think carefully about that before making my final selection.”

The Storks lost both meetings with 1874 last season, conceding a dozen goals.

That included a 7-0 drubbing at the Arbories.

They have lost four of their five Premier Division matches there this season too.