Bridlington Town set for home restart against Handsworth

Town player-boss Brett Agnew admits to mixed feelings about the season starting this weekend after the league was originally suspended until January 2021.

He said: “We had planned for a return in January, so to be back in action this weekend means we will not have had too much time to plan for the game.

“It could easily end up as a high-scoring affair such as a 7-6 or 6-5 as both sides will be short of match fitness and preparation.

“I can see it from the point of view of the league that they wanted to get everyone back playing football as soon as possible, but from the players’ point of view a lot of the lads were maybe looking at a very rare chance to have Christmas off.

“I’ve never been too positive about the idea of NCEL games on Boxing Day, I think Conference North and below should not have matches on Boxing Day as they are hard to prepare for at this level.

“But, we have a football game at the weekend and the lads and myself will be focused on that.”

This weekend Agnew is hoping to welcome back some of the players who could not make it to Saturday’s win against Hall Road.

Agnew added: “Hopefully we will have a squad for the Handsworth game as a few of the lads who could not make it due to not being able to travel between tiers can now get to the games.

“It will come too soon for defender Chris Jenkinson, and we are looking more at January for his return, which means he has missed eight to nine weeks but only missed a few games so it has fallen very well for him.”

Agnew is hoping that the action continues after the festive season, as he is eager to avoid a repeat of the null and voiding of the 2019-20 season due to the pandemic.

He said: “A lot of volunteers, owners, fans and players put so much effort and funds into the season so there has to be some kind of reward for their efforts.

“I think they were too quick to null and void it last season, they should have promoted and relegated on the basis of how the tables stood at that point.”