Match day returns
After four productive and well attended training sessions, Danny Grainger will have the opportunity to see his players in match conditions for the first time on Thursday evening.
Reds will continue their build-up to the new season when they take to the field at Whitehaven (7.30pm) to contest the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy.
Traditionally the first friendly of the summer, this match has been played for the past eight years with Reds losing the first ‘final’, then winning six in a row before a first draw in the tournament twelve months ago.
The manager has no injury concerns but holidays will rule out several members of the squad so some of the younger players will get an opportunity along with those currently on trial.
Scott Allison, who has scored more goals (7) in this fixture than any other player, is one of the absentees due to a family holiday.
Whitehaven, preparing for another season in the West Lancashire League, are now managed by Lee McCullough who was in charge of Reds Reserves team last season.
In addition to first team action at the County Ground (CA28 9DD), the two respective reserve teams will meet in the latest Cumberland FA FleXI League fixture with Brian Dawson’s squad playing at the Whitehaven Campus (6.45pm) at St. Benedict’s School.
