Mayfield start with Kells trip
MAYFIELD have their first league game of the campaign this afternoon with a trip to Kells in the Kingstone Press NCL Premier division.
The two teams faced each other three times last season and Mayfield finished with three wins out of three.
As anyone involved in sport knows that won’t mean much as the two teams take to the pitch in a chilly Cumbria this afternoon.
There was never more than six points between them in any of the three games and a close game is expected for this one.
With a much changed Mayfield out to start as they mean to go on – and Kells looking to put last season’s defeats behind them – this should be a real tester to start the season for both sides.
Mayfield are again without several players due to a variety of reasons including Dec Sheridan on Commonwealth duty and Jimmy Connaughton who sustained a broken jaw in training. But they have some more than able deputies just waiting to show they have what it takes to impress coaches Matt Calland and Sam Butterworth and seal a place in the side.
This will be a stern test not least for the two youngest members of the squad 16 year olds Brandon Wood and Cole Connolly.
Both have excellent pedigrees with their dads having played at Mayfield over the years and they will be looking to emulate the dedication and commitment shown by them.
This season sees Mayfield celebrate the 60th anniversary of their formation. Their first game that year, 1958 saw them play Yorkshire Underbank Rangers in the pennine league.
Underbank gained promotion to the Premier division last season and so Mayfield have rearranged their fixture against them to coincide with that first fixture.
Part of the 60th year celebrations will see the club hold a celebration dinner with guest speakers and players past and present as well as plenty of reminiscing.
The club are also in the process of trying to gather information about the past to put together a celebration of the team over the years.
Anyone with any photos programmes and especially film of past games are urged to get in touch with the club so they can be shared.
NCL prem Kells v Mayfield ko 2.30