Boro ready for tough South Shields home National League North start
Scarborough Athletic will be eyeing a winning start to their National League North season when they welcome familiar foes South Shields to the Scarborough Sports Village this Saturday, 3pm kick-off.
This fixture is not all-ticket, however the club strongly recommend purchasing tickets online via the Boro website in advance, with a sizeable crowd expected for the first league game back in town for the Seadogs after playing in Bridlington for a season.
Boro boss Jono Greening, speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 loss in the final pre-season game at Harrogate, said: “We were missing key players today, Browny is injured, Harry Green is injured and Alex Purver away with work, it’s completely different being part-time compared to full-time as you always have those challenges. Three players had been on holiday for two weeks so I needed to get minutes into them with the season starting next week.
“Browny dislocated his thumb badly at North Ferriby, it’s popped back in now but he’s snapped ligaments in his thumb. He’s at hospital Thursday, hopefully if it’s started to heal he can play with a splint .
“Harry Green has done his ankle ligaments. It is looking like he won’t be back for Shields but hopefully training the week after.
“We are always looking (for signings), we’ve not got a massive budget in terms of money to spend but if there is an option out that is cheap and we can do it and it is the right fit for us and can push us on and helps our team then we are always looking to bring it in.
"Hopefully we might get a few loan players from clubs like we did last year which will help us out as well, we are always looking and talking to different clubs and coaches.”
Looking back at the friendly clash Greening added: “It was a great challenge for our players, because we don't play against many teams who are that good and it was a great test for our players.”
Author Steve Penny will be selling copies of his excellent ‘Home is Away’ book in the Boro clubhouse ahead of the Shields game.
The book is also now available at Mrs Lofthouse's Emporium in Queen Street, Indie Revival in Newborough, The Hideout in Columbus Ravine and at the club shop and programme hut at Boro home games. All priced £16.
Alternatively, they can be purchased direct from Steve via [email protected] for £15 post free (reader offer).