10/08/2023
By Chris Gibbs
League opener hones into view!
After the nerve-shredding late drama in the FA Cup on Tuesday, it’s now time to get our league campaign underway this weekend.
And it’s a tough start for the boys with a trip to Bootle to take on a team some fancy may feature prominently in the shake-up for promotion this season.
Like us, Bootle started their season in the FA Cup last Saturday. Unlike us, they fell at the first hurdle with a surprising 3-1 loss at Prestwich Heys, who play in a division below.
Our 1-0 win over Romulus on Tuesday, courtesy of a sweetly-struck injury time right footer from the edge of the box by Joe Thompson, was hard work, and will have taken a physical toll.
Already missing one full back after Louis Holden’s injury in the first game, another Louis (Lake) picked up a knock in the replay but is recovering well and is expected to be available for the trip to Bootle.
Danny Edwards’ international clearance has gone through – yes Welsh players need international clearance crazy though it seems – so our squad is boosted for Saturday’s trip to Bootle by him coming into the reckoning.
While Danny’s signing further strengthens our midfield, the signing of 6ft4 striker Alfie Carmichael, which was completed before the Romulus replay on Tuesday night, is a welcome addition to our forward line.
The one thing that Tuesday night’s game did undeniably show was that fitness will be our strength this season. By any reckoning, it was an unconvincing performance but as our opponents hung on grimly for as long as they could, we kept knocking at the door. And eventually, it opened.
Let’s get behind Paul and the boys for our league opener.
Come on ‘Castle.
Commenti