The wait is finally over! The Brewers kick off the 2018/19 Evo-Stik East League campaign at home against Carlton Town.
Mikey & Si have been preparing their squad since the first session back at the end of June, now after eleven friendlies, the talking can stop and the real action can start.
Taddy are coming into the season opening contest confident following last Saturday’s impressive display against North Ferriby United winning 1-0. It was more the manner of the victory that caught the eye though as Albion dominated the contest with their patient ball retention style of play.
Carlton on the other hand opted for a different approach in organising friendlies against teams in higher leagues, bar one. This may not have filled their ranks with belief though after winning just one of their seven pre-season matches but it will have potentially made them stronger for the upcoming campaign. We all know that these results are irrelevant anyway and often prove to be meaningless.
In the 2017/18 season, the Millers finished 19th in the Evo-Stik South recording 41 points from 42 games, six points off relegated side Romulus. It was a hectic final couple of months for Wayne Scott’s side who ended up playing three times a week more often than not. This led to the club dropping closer towards the bottom of the league and they only just managed to survive despite winning only one game across March and April.
Jordan Wilson was Town’s main man for goals after finishing last year as top scorer with fifteen goals but the forward has since moved on. On top of that, their second and third highest scorers have also left the club meaning Scott will be hoping his new faces make an immediate impact.
Taddy will look to new signing Joe Lumsden for the majority of their goals after the forward netted 55 in his past two seasons with Stocksbridge Park Steels. They will also be boosted by the return of enigmatic youngster Casey Stewart who has returned from the club following a trial with Harrogate Town.
The Brewers snuck into the play-offs last year and just missed out on a place in the final, how far can they go in the new look Evo-Stik East Division……
Team News: Taddy come into the curtain raiser without their number one goalkeeper in Michael Ingham as he’s away. No matter who the replacement is, the giant Northern Irishman is big boots to fill. Chris Howarth is also unavailable for selection (away) along with the injured Paddy Miller (calf). New signings Harry Coates and Joe Lumsden likely to start. Aaron Hardy (knee) & Jason Mycoe (knee) both doubtful after picking up knocks in training.
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