Boro strengthen squad as keeper Zand signs on

Scarborough Athletic have strengthened their ranks ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Consett after bringing in keeper Rob Zand from Brigg Town.
Boro news ... Keeper Zand signs onBoro news ... Keeper Zand signs on
Boro news ... Keeper Zand signs on

Zand joins Paul Foot and Bryan Hughes’ men after Town waivered the seven-day notice period and allowed him to join in time for their trip to the North East.

The injury of number one stopper Ben Simpson, who will be out for a couple of weeks, has left the joint bosses with no choice but to bring in another gloveman with only 17-year-old loanee Chandler Hallwood and under-21s stopper Rory Skelton available.

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Foot said: “At the beginning of the season we said we wanted competition for places at the club and we want that in every position.

Chandler HallwoodChandler Hallwood
Chandler Hallwood

“Ben Simpson is injured for a few weeks and Bradford City have been great to us by loaning us Chandler, but we need players to be pushing each other and to have that competition for places.

“Even in training, it’s massive for a keeper to have another to work alongside pushing them.

“Rob knows Ben well already so they will be able to work together straight away, which helps too.
“We know Andy Foster at Brigg well and he’s waivered the seven-day notice so we can bring Rob into the squad, which is great.”

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Foot expects Hallwood to keep his place after impressing on debut in Boro’s 6-0 thumping of Harrogate Railway on Monday night.

He said: “Chandler was impressive on Monday night and did well to say it was his first game.

“He didn’t have a lot to do, but he kept his concentration well and was very vocal for a 17-year-old lad.

“It’s his shirt to lose at the moment.”

Foot insists Boro are up for the cup this season and won’t be taking Northern League outfit Consett lightly.

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He added: “The FA Cup is important to us this season and we want to go on a decent cup run, so we aren’t going up there to give lads a run, we want to put out our strongest side and make sure we give ourselves the best chance of progressing.

“Teams up there are always up for it, always passionate and they work hard and this will be no different.

“We are only missing Leigh Franks and Matty Bloor through injury, and Ryan Qualter can’t play as Bradford Park Avenue haven’t been in this cup yet.

“They’ve been great letting us have Ryan so far and he’s been fantastic for us so far.

“Everyone else is ready and raring to go.”

Follow @SN_Sport and #safclive for updates from Boro’s FA Cup clash at Consett