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Hereford United begin the Conference 05/06 campaign with a home tie against Scarborough tomorrow afternoon, kick off 3pm. Nick Henry's Scarborough, described as a workman-like side, know that they have a tough start and Henry told the clubs official site that although it could be difficult, the Seadogs will aim to foil the home side's system.
"Hereford will be favourites for the title this season and will be difficult opponents for us on the opening day. I've had them watched in two of the pre-season matches and they looked good against both Notts County and in their County Cup match last week. However I think our game will match their system well."
Scarborough's away form was poor last season and is just one aspect that the manager has aimed to improve on, and he is confident that his side can start getting results away from home. Just 17 points were picked up by Boro on their travels last season. The side will be staying over in a hotel in Shropshire tonight.
The Seadogs chairman Malcomn Reynolds seems happy with his squad.
"The squad we have here is by far the most exciting I have seen since arriving at the club. There is balance, cover and quality all over the park," said Reynolds
"Obviously we will find out on Saturday how far we have really come when we play Hereford, but I think if the lads can manage to stay free of injuries and suspensions then there is the quality here to reach the play-offs ? I firmly believe that."
An impressive pre-season has seen the northerners pick up impressive victories against a Sunderland and a Sheffield United side and also draw with Chesterfield. However, it is commonly said that pre-season form is nothing to go by when the League campaign begins.
The first day of the previous two seasons have seen The Bulls emerge with all three points, against Farnborough last season and Tamworth the season before that. Scarborough also won their first game last season, 2-0 against Woking at the McCain Stadium.
There should be many debutants for both sides with Jermaine Palmer and Mark Quayle in Boro's attack both signed on this summer. Palmer arrives on loan from Grimsby and Quayle is back for a second spell with The Seadogs having spent last season with Northwich Victoria.
Graham Turner is expected to hand debuts to Alex Jeannin, Guy Ipoua, Dean Beckwith, Jon Brady and Andy Ferrell. Stacy Coldicott could also be handed a first start for United should he overcome a back injury that has kept him out of Hereford's last two fixtures.
Wayne Brown, loaned in from Chester City, is expected to be named on the bench. There seems little likelyhood that he will be given a start in place of Craig Mawson. Also, although Darren Blewitt has been signed on loan from West Ham, it is thought that Turner will stick with the three centre backs that he has chosen throughout the pre-season.
Turner seems very pleased with the Blewitt deal. He told BBC Hereford and Worcester that loan signings could be very helpful this season.
"As I understand it we can have eight short-term and eight long-term loans. So we might as well take advantage of that.
"In the case of West Ham, they have been very generous with the way they put the financial deal to us. A little contribution from us financially to the loan. I like that sort of deal."
Graham Evans may also be given a debut but he will not start the game.
Jamie Pitman and Simon Travis are the only two players that are definately ruled out of the game for the home side as they recover from injuries that have kept them out all summer. Travis is recovering from a punctured lung and from an opporation on a hernia that had been causing him problems since January. Pitman is stil not fully fit following his operation on his shoulder, which popped out a couple of times late last season.
As usual, a large home crowd is expected for the first day of the season at Edgar Street. Graham Turner has once again stressed the importance that the home crowd can have on the game and has urged supporters to be the "twelth man" and make Edgar Street an intimidating place to play. So sing up for the Bulls!
