Erudite Brimscombe boss Sam Prior is ready to hit the ground running when his side opens their Hellenic Premier Division season underway at home to Longlevens tonight, 7.45 pm.
The last two seasons have been curtailed due to the pandemic and Prior can’t wait to get started.
“Hopefully, this year we can get the season played to a conclusion and if we don’t, hopefully, the powers that be have a plan in place so that we don’t end up with the absolute mess that unfolded before,” Prior said.
Prior has been happy with how his side has performed during pre-season.
He added: “Pre-season has been productive and constructive from our point of view. We’ve been able to keep the boys’ fitness relatively high as we finished playing only at the back end of May.
“We’ve played six games, losing only one to a very good Hungerford side, drawing with two Southern League sides, and winning three games, including Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Southern League Mangotsfield.”
Player-wise Prior has added a couple of fresh faces, including former Slimbridge favourite Dean Turner.
“We’ve added Sam Folkes, who moves back to the area from London, and Dean Turner who will be a huge addition to our midfield and a big influence on the squad. We’ve lost Dan Hill who has moved to London, and Edd Major and Chalmers Phin.”
Prior is optimistic is close-knit squad led by captain Ollie Pitt, have what it takes to make a good fist of the new season.
He said: “This season we’re hoping to give ourselves every chance of winning as many games as possible and being able to be as competitive as we can be to try and finish as high as possible. The squad is very close-knit and we’ve put a lot of work into them over the last six weeks to put us in good stead for a tough opening month, and an even tougher season ahead.”
