MATCH PREVIEW...
17 Aug 2012

OPPONENTS

We kick-off Season 2012-13 in the Castleford Sunday League with a home fixture against late newcomers, Oddfellows Arms F.C.They are based in Snaith and come to our League after the demise of the Goole & District Sunday League.Not knowing much about them makes it an interesting match-up and we will have to expect pretty-much anything from them.Therefore, we must approach this game as if we are playing one of the tried and trusted favourites of the Premier Division.Facing different sides keeps keeps everyone on their toes but if we concentrate solely on our own style and performance, the right result should be within our grasp...time will tell and come 12.15pm on Sunday, we will know how good 'Oddys' are...

TEAM NEWS

First game-of-the-season and we have to start without our first-choice goalkeeper! Mark Edwards is away at the Leeds Festival this weekend and so Mark Stanley looks-like donning the gloves again.But he is more than capable and shouldn't let anyone down.Also missing this week will be defender Niall Gordon, midfielder Lee Hudson and striker Adam Blackwell, who are all recovering from injury.New signing, James Dyson, is another struggling to be 100% and he will probably not be risked.Luckily, we have a strong squad, so we can cover those lads who, unfortunately, have to miss-out this week.A couple of other players have the odd niggles, but these shouldn't prevent them from putting themselves forward for selection.There is some good news, as well though.Mikey McNamara is back from holiday to boost the Manager's options, Andy Burrow is definitely onboard for the season and our unbeaten, pre-season form gives us plenty of optimism of gaining a positive result.

REFEREE

Mr.Allen Haywood will take charge of Sunday's match.Having had him Officiate in many of our matches down the years, we know he likes the games to flow, communicates with the players well and is very decisive, which always helps both the competing sides to know where they stand.Being highly-regarded within the Castleford Referees Association and being a co-opted Member of the League Management Committee, we must ensure our onfield behaviour is of a high standard and show him the respect he deserves, remember...no Refs, no football! Also bear in mind, that we now have two Members of the League Management Committee within our own set-up.Our Manager is already established as the League's Fixtures & Results Secretary and our Treasurer is now a Council Member...so let's not embarrass them by doing something really stupid!

RECENT FORM

There is no information on Oddfellows' pre-season form, in fact we have no idea whether they have played any matches at all.
Our club, on the other hand, has had a solid pre-season.Winning six from six shows we are looking to carry-on last season's good form, that saw us win some silverware, despite making rolling substitutions throughout our friendlies.That may have effected our rhythm if we had let it, but we didn't and so confidence is very good at the moment, although we should guard against complacency and concentrate on doing the basics well and applying what we have worked-on in training.

CONCLUSION

We go into Sunday's opener looking to get off to a good start.Not knowing anything about our opponents doesn't help, but being at The Dell does.As we did all last season, we will look to take one game-at-a-time, with 3 points the objective.Let the game's begin...