Avenue face test from Cables guys
11:34am Thursday 14th August 2008
The Premier League starts on Saturday but a much more even division, crammed full of honest endeavour and too close to call from top to bottom, will be commencing at the same time.
At 3pm – and every club involved will have that traditional kick-off time – the UniBond League gets underway.
Bradford Park Avenue have joined neighbouring Guiseley in the Premier Division, while FC Halifax Town have been allocated a place in Division One North.
AVENUE have recruited well since winning the Division One North title last season and gaining promotion. They have had an up and down pre-season but now is the real test for Dave Cameron’s squad, who have an opening game at home to Prescot Cables.
Cameron said: “It’s definitely preferable to start with a home game, whatever league you play your football in. You can get a lift from all the expectation in the atmosphere from your own fans.
“Personally, I can’t wait. It’s what we have been building up to since the players reported back for training. It will be a tough start against Prescot, a difficult game, but one we think we can win.”
Cameron hopes to have new striker Chris Hall leading the line, making a belated debut after missing the final pre-season friendly which ended in defeat at Rhyl last Saturday.
Avenue should have had one last run-out but Sheffield United pulled the plug on Wednesday’s visit to Horsfall Stadium and Cameron said: “That was a pain in the backside.
“Sheffield couldn’t come and we tried to get someone else but nobody fancied playing us – but the lads are definitely fit enough.
“We didn’t need that match for fitness but it would have been nice for the new lad to have played, rather than coming straight into the fold in a league game.”
Cameron has no injury worries after pre-season but Rory Patterson is missing because of a three-match ban from last season.
GUISELEY also have home advantage for their opener, despite the damage to their main stand following a fire. An investigation by the Fire Brigade is underway and the stand could yet be condemned.
“It is a mess and I don’t know the ins and outs of the safety aspects but we have been assured that we can use the rest of our ground, so the game will be staged,” said assistant manager Wayne Benn ahead of Cammell Laird’s visit.
“We have some injuries but we are still hoping to get off to a good start and get a bit of momentum going from day one. We certainly won’t underestimate Cammell Laird but we feel we are a match for anyone in this division.”
Despite the financial problems that began with a deduction of ten points when they were in the Blue Square Premier last season and ended with the winding up of the old company, FC HALIFAX TOWN – effectively a new club – have ensured their future will remain at The Shay.
Saturday’s visit of Lancashire outfit Bamber Bridge will be a test of new manager Jim Vince’s fresh squad and also the loyalty of the old club’s supporters. No one knows what to expect from this weekend’s match.