Ormskirk and S&B to clash in second match of the season

WEATHER permitting, Southport and Birkdale’s outdoor cricket season will get under way a week earlier than had been expected next month following confirmation that the traditional game against the Lancashire Federation will now take place on Sunday April 9.

The following weekend will see home friendlies played against Fleetwood Hesketh and Myerscough College.

S&B’s league season begins on April 22 with a home match against Rainhill, followed by a visit to Ormskirk on April 29 and a home game against New Brighton on May 6.

The pre-season programme will give Chris Firth (pictured) an opportunity to integrate his new signings Bradley Yates, Tearon Gleeson, Chris Cunningham and Ashley MacDonald into the squad but the S&B skipper has also been encouraged by the numbers attending winter nets and remains optimistic that some of the club’s younger cricketers will get their chances in the first team this summer.

“I think Isaac Lea will be available for the majority of the season and Adam Galley likewise once he returns from New Zealand in May,” said Firth. “However, the bowler exciting me and other players at training at the moment is Angus Gailey, who is bowling absolute rockets.

“He’s an excellent prospect and certainly has the potential to play first-team cricket this season.

“Angus will be in the side for a couple of the friendlies at the start of the season and we will see how we get on from there.

“I was 16 when I made my first-team debut and I’m not at all reluctant to put young players into the first team.”