BLUES boss Billy Heath is looking for his troops to make a rapid start to their new UniBond Premier League campaign against Witton Albion, writes Nick Rigg.
Heath takes his men to Wincham Park for their season opener this Saturday with the hope that Frickley won't suffer a repeat of their disastrous start to the last campaign.
And although Albion remain as one of the favourites for promotion this seas
on, numerous changes in the squad and behind the scenes have given Heath the belief that there won't be a better time to get a victory over the Cheshire club.
"It's going to be a good game on Saturday," said Heath.
"I don't think we'll have a better chance of going there and getting something from the match.
"I think they've only got two players there that started for the last season, there have been a lot of changes with the players and the staff so it's a good chance to go there and beat them.
"It's always going to be tough going to Witton, no matter who they have in their team, but the lads are all very upbeat at the start of the season.
He continued: "We need to get off to a good start, that's for sure.
"We don't want to be playing catch-up like we were last season so we're all hoping to get our first three points as soon as possible."
Heath will be going into the clash without three key players, who are all carrying suspensions over from last season.
Jonathan Groome starts the first of his three-game suspension, while Steve Robinson will also be missing for two games and Phil Lindley will be sitting in the stands for the clash.
But Heath believes the strength in depth of his squad will mean the Blues can cope with suspensions and injuries this season.
"We've prepared for the opening games without them," said Heath.
"Our strength in depth in the squad is much better than it was last season so we can cope with instances like this, and the players who have been involved in the friendly matches have shown that they're more than capable of filling in."
Frickley will play their first home UniBond Premier League match at Westfield Lane on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm, when they host Whitby Town.
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