New signings bolster belief
BACUP Borough played out an entertaining 0-0 with premier division side Winsford United on Saturday in the glorious sunshine at the Brian Boys Stadium.
It was another chance for Brent Peters and head coach David Felgate to assess the progress of the players and also integrate the new arrivals – who include Sam Fitton, Keaton Lewis, goalkeeper Liam Walker and Ben Langley – into the Borough way of life.
With Borough missing players through injury and holidays it has given the new arrivals an even greater chance of cementing a place in the team with only one week to go before the season kicks off at home against Euxton Villa.
During the pre-season preparations several of the new acquisitions have impressed, but in particular the inclusion of Emmanuel Manny, a former FC United player with fantastic energy and technical ability who gives Peters’ side another dimension in the final third.
Discussing the preparations and the new signings, manager Peters said: “Pre-season hasn’t been too bad if I’m being honest.
“It has been frustrating to have so many players away on holiday or through injury, but the arrival of the new players has given myself and head coach David Felgate a lot of confidence going into the new season.
“We are still looking at players and formations, but we’re about 80% towards knowing what our team will be going into that first game at home to Euxton Villa next week.”
Pre-season for Borough has all been about getting the squad fully fit and focused for a new campaign in the North West Counties Division One North. They’ve had tough games against Avro FC, Chorley FC and Winsford United, all teams higher up the footballing pyramid.
The manager expressed why he had gone for those fixtures.
“It was simple for me to organise those games. We need to be playing against teams stronger than us,” he said.
“I’m not being disrespectful to other sides that have approached us for pre-season friendlies but we’ve got to be testing our lads.
“And we are not going to be able to do that against weaker opposition.
“Avro, Chorley and Winsford have all done what I expected them to do, and that was push our lads hard.
“That is what these games are all about in my eyes.”
This weekend will see Borough travel to South Yorkshire to face Penistone Church in their final preparation game before the season kicks off for real.