Last Friday evening Bacup Borough kicked off their preseason schedule with a 1-0 win over Golcar United at the Skye Direct Stadium.
The game was the perfect opportunity for Brent Peters to see how the new signings operate amongst the existing squad from last season.
During the summer Peters has been busy recruiting for several key areas for the new campaign. Goalkeeper Josh Brooks joins from Euxton Villa FC. A quality shot stopper with excellent distribution and commanding presence of his penalty area. Josh has already played more than hundred-fifty games at counties level and was a part of the Euxton Villa side that played Borough in the Edward Case Cup Final back in May.
Another player on display in the game with Golcar United was eighteen year old Oliver Hodgson. Oliver is a talented attacking option signed from Nelson FC who possesses excellent pace, trickery and will certainly provide competition for the likes of Alex Mellor and Jack Hayward down the right hand side.
Oliver Hodgson in action for Nelson FC 2023/24
Also coming into the fold for the 2024/25 season and getting minutes in the friendly with Golcar United was twenty-eight year old Toby Azhar. The midfielder has joined the club after spending time in Australia, but the Oldham based player has plenty of experience having played for several semi-pro clubs including Chadderton and Curzon Ashton.
Overall the performance against Golcar United was a positive one. Strong running into the final third from Kyle Siddle and Toby Wright who were constantly asking questions, and the link up play between Michael Gervin and Callum Hewitt through the middle was encouraging to see that it was business as usual for the duo.
Speaking to the Borough manager after the game, he said; “It was great to be back in the dugout. The lads have been back in training for the past three weeks being put through their paces by Nigel Langley, Alan Taylor and Ryan Russell, and the energy being shown by all the players tonight was first class.
“As you know I’m not the biggest fan of preseason friendlies, but I am well aware that in order to get the new players bedded in and gelling with the existing squad the games are necessary, and to see the new players blending in well and getting minutes was positive.”
I asked Brent about the new players coming into the squad and how he feels they will improve the overall strength and qualities going into the new season.
“I wanted to immediately strengthen our goalkeeping position. Mason Walker has done a fantastic job for us over the past few seasons, but I just felt that we needed somebody with more experience and aerial presence. Not only that. The goalkeeper we opted for also brings brilliant distribution and good levels of positional awareness. We also looked at bolstering our midfield area. The season is a long hard slog and having the strength in depth can be the difference between winning and losing. Last season we unfortunately dropped off a bit after Christmas for one reason and another, so the addition of Toby Azhar in the midfield department will give us that added competition for places and keep everybody on their toes.
“Young Oliver Hodgson from Nelson FC had been on our radar for a while, and with the changes taking place down there at Little Wembley it gave us the perfect opportunity to bring him into our fold. He is a talented player who will also be challenging and creating competition for a shirt."
Others who impressed against Golcar United were Brady Boardman. A versatile player who joins from local amateur side Haslingden St Mary's and can play several positions and featured well in the left back position.
Over the next few weeks leading up to the start of the season which kicks-off on Saturday 27th at home to Ashton Athletic I'm sure they'll be more players added to the existing squad.
Before then Borough have friendlies against the following teams:
Saturday 13th July | Broadheath Central FC | Partington Sports Village | 2pm
Tuesday 16th July | Chadderton FC | Brian Boys Stadium | 7.45pm
Saturday 20th July | Ilkley Town AFC | Brian Boys Stadium | 3pm
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