A fortnight to go

Just a fortnight to go before the season proper kicks off, with three more dress rehearsals for Reds to ensure they have got their lines right for opening night.

They make a first ever visit to Consett’s Belle Vue ground on Saturday (3pm) and that tough assignment, against the free scoring Northern League outfit, is followed by equally difficult tests at Kendal and Lancaster.

Consett visited Borough Park last season in the FA Cup when Adam Telfer and Kyle May netted Reds’ goals in a 2-0 victory. Both will be in the squad for the friendly with Alex Salmon the only player not travelling.

The Consett ‘Reds’ scored 110 league goals last season, including 66 on their 3G surface. In Michael Mackay they have a proven scorer who netted 36 league goals last term and Reds’ watertight defence will be put to the test by a potent attack.