Evo-stik Northern Premier League
Premier Division
North Ferriby United v Marine
Tuesday 21 August
Kick-off 7.45pm
Ferriby their their 2018-19 Evo-Stik Premier Division home campaign When they entertain Whitby Town. It will rekindle a series of old battles which began at Wembley in The 1997 FA Vase Final.
The Villagers got off to a promising start on Saturday with a more than deserved draw at Marine. Whilst the hosts may have had a difficult time in more recent seasons, they have always been a difficult side to visit and come away with a point or more.
The first-half on Saturday was an edgy affair with both sides making too many unforced errors. This was best epitomised by the fact that both teams missed a penalty with, first, Martin Fearon saving for Marine then Lewis Exall saving for Ferriby.
Ferriby had the better of the first 45 minutes and could have gone in two or three goals ahead. As it was, they had to settle for a well-worked and finished goal from Luke Lofts just before the interval.
The second-half again saw both sides making errors and the game was punctuated with unnecessary and niggly fouls. In the end, this led to Ferriby conceding the equaliser. Dan Norton, having been cautioned for dissent was then sent off after receiving a second caution for simulation. Ferriby found it difficult to believe the decision as it appeared to most people that it was a foul on Norton as he was about to shoot from close-range. As often happens, once play re-started, Marine went straight to the other end and equalised.
Marine threw everything they had at The Villagers in the final 15 minutes bit resolute defensive work from, especially, James Piercey, Jack Mail and Lewis Exall saw Ferriby hang on for a point.
Bolder had this to say after the game,
“ We have to take as many positives as we can from that performance. With so many of our players not having played at this level I think we would have settled for a point before the game.
“It’s going to take a few weeks and games to get used to the standard at this level.
“The sending-off was harsh to my mind because I thought it was a penalty and, as often, happens they go down to the other end and score.
“Overall though, Paul and I are happy with the performance and it gives us all something to build on in coming weeks.
Looking towards Tuesday’s game, Bolder continues,
“Whitby Town are one of these clubs who have a great history at non-league level and have added some excellent players to their retained list from last season. We know they have managed to raise funds in order to add players to their squad as well as adding some quality players, who have recently plied their trade at a higher level.
“We know it’s going to be difficult. They won on Saturday with a goal from their expensive new signing so they will be in a good frame of mind.
“I’ve had some good and close encounters with Whitby over the years and I imagine that Tuesday will be similar.
“Our players put in a good performance at Marine and that should give them confidence as we move further in to the season.
“There are a lot of games in a short space of time so Paul [Robson] and myself will have to consider utilising the whole squad. That said, we are unlikely to make too many changes on Tuesday. We will be without Ben Leyland as he is unavailable. However, we picked-up no injuries so have virtually the whole squad to choose from.
“The support we received towards the back end of the season was fantastic in very difficult
circumstances and the home games in pre-season have continued our trend of having
great supporters.”
Ferriby’s travelling fans will have appreciated the team’s performance and attitude at Marine. Hopefully they will be able to persuade many more to turn-up on Tuesday night. Ferriby needs large numbers through the turnstiles as owner Carl Chadwick continues to improve the club’s financial situation.
Skipper James Piercey was also pleased with the way his side played at Marine,
“It was a good performance in many respects. The lads showed their attitude and commitment in that final 15 minutes. Most of us have probably experienced nothing like that. We were defending in front of a lot of very noisy fans who really got behind their time and we really had to focus on our game and not them.
“Last season was a big jump up for me from the NCEL Premier Division into the Conference
North and now again this is a completely new level to me, so I just want to continue to prove myself and work hard to get better each and every week.
“It was a huge honour to be named captain and it was certainly something that I was not expecting.
“The squad is shaping up very nicely now and we have a lot of strong competition for places within the camp. Competition only brings out the best in each and every one of us and it is making sure we are all working harder during training sessions and out on the pitch in order to get the nod for the start of the season.
“In terms of targets for the upcoming season, the general consensus in and around the camp is that we can shock a few teams this campaign. And I think Saturday’s result will have surprised many.”
Ferriby’s squad: Lewis Exall, Ben Clappison. Jack Smith, James Piercey, Jack Mail, Paul Robson, Jamie Forrester, Joe Lamplough, Dan Nichols, Danny Norton, Charlie Dunkerley, Eddie Rogerson, Kent Bannister, Alex Knox, Alex Bannister, Luke Lofts, James Nichols, Josh Walker