Preview: Prescot Cables v Ossett Town

“It may be the same opposition but I feel they are a much better side than the beginning of last season, as I believe we are too” Grant Black

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It seems like an age since pre-season began yet in the same instance it is just a mere blink since we were preparing to head to Prescot Cables a year ago for the first game of the season and by a quirk of the fixture computer it is Prescot Cables we head to on the opening day of this season too on Saturday 12 August.

Expectations were not high outside the camp last year and an opening day defeat, 2-0 at Hope Street will not have been noticed or unexpected by many, yet that was a mere blip as a roller coaster season had many, many more highs than lows.

Grant Black is ready and prepared for the game, weeks of pre-season have seen to that, and he expects just as tough a game as was the case a year ago.

“It may be the same opposition but I feel they are a much better side than the beginning of last season, as I believe we are too so I fully expect this to be a tough game for both sides.”

The two sides have met on 24 occasions in the NPL this millennium with Town just in front of the head-to-head with 11 victories to Prescot Cable’s eight. Town have won five of the last eight fixtures after Prescot edged the early encounters between the two in the Premier Division as they went six games before tasting defeat.

The first game between the two sides, in September 2003 remains the highest scoring encounter as Prescot earned the points thanks to a 5-3 victory at Hope Park, historically however, this is usually a low scoring match.

Ossett Town go into the game without the services of the injured Curtley Martin-Wyatt (knee), Isaac Assenso (hamstring) and Jake Quickenden (hair) while Daniel Monfredi has signed for Worsborough Bridge on a short term deal.

Also taking time away from Ingfield is Rikki Paylor who, like Monfredi, has moved to the NCEL for some much needed game time. Paylor will register with Rodley and Quickenden’s former club, Bottesford Town.

Black gave his reasons for the move “Paylor will be returning to Ingfield, you can be 100% certain on that. He is a player I think very highly of who has great talent. He has found it hard here since he was injured last season and has not been able to get the 90 minutes under his belt that he really needs. He will get that at Bottesford and we look forward to him returning in September fit and ready to play a big part for us this season.”

Ossett Town supporters can reserve a space on the coach travelling to Prescot at a cost of £10 adults and £5 for under 18s.

The coach will leave Ingfield at 11.30am, to guarantee your seat please email the club

Updated 06:49 - 2 Sep 2019 by Neil Spofforth