The second game of the league season and a little road trip (or short walk for some) as we travel across the City to play NPL league newcomers and local friends Hanley Town.
MATCHDAY 3
Hanley Town vs Newcastle Town
The Pitching In Northern Premier League
Tuesday 16th August 2022
Kickoff 7:45 pm
Location
Potteries Park, Abbey Ln, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 8AJ
ADMISSION
Adults £9
Concession £5
PRE MATCH PINT
Where to start i guess, well we have the Finney Gardens which is family-friendly and has a large beer garden for a pre-match drink before the turnstiles open and then you can just stroll across Bucknall Park to get to the ground, your next pub up the road is the Travellers Rest just a little further up Werrington Road after the Turn for Abbey Lane and past the ASDA.
We would expect the clubhouse at Hanely to be open from 6 pm so there might not be much time for a pre pre match pint for a midweek game but a few options never less.
So who are we up against!
Hanley Town are no newcomers to us as we have met each other many times in pre season and other local games and we are sure to come up against a very strong team.
Last season they won the Midland Football League with 83 points from the 36 games which was 25 wins, 8 draws and just 3 losses along the way.
They have a wealth of experienced players who will need no introduction to local football fans with the likes of Chris Dagnall (ex Crewe Alex), Carl Dickinson (Manger and ex Stoke City and Port Vale), Louis Dodds (ex Port Vale) to name just a couple and then local names we have seen at Leek and Kidsgrove over the last few seasons so a well assembled squad which will no doubt be looking to play some good, attacking football.
LAST TIME OUT
At the weekend they had a 3-1 victory over Ramsbottom United with goals from Dagnall and James Lawrie.
How are the team looking
Well after the weekend's 1-1 draw with Witton we are likely to be unchanged but with a couple of players back and available for selection to the squad.
A few players took knocks but nothing that is to fear of them missing out on playing, Cal Lovatt and Nathan Morley are still looking to get fitness up ahead of them getting starts but they are both making great progress we are told.
Prediction
No, sorry, once again we don't want to say now, but we are predicting that it will be full of goals in the game and if we could bet on the match we would be looking for easily over 3.5 in the game and sadly i think it will be a game that will see high booking points, but first road trip of the season i will be more than happy to come away with a point as i look to walk across to home from the game or back to the pub if early enough.