Match Preview – Saturday 26th July 2025
The talking stops, the action starts!! The 2025/26 NCEL Premier Division season is upon us and it begins with the Blues welcoming Albion Sports to Westfield Lane, kick off at 3:00pm
Blues News
It has been another fairly large overhaul for the Blues squad during preseason from the side that finished 18th in the previous campaign. Plenty of outgoings but also plenty of positive incomings as well as we look to have a stronger season.
It’s perhaps unsurprising then that preseason started slowly but has seen the team develop with each game that has taken place. It all came together in our final preseason game which saw the Blues secure a 5-0 victory over NPL East side Emley in what was a brilliant team performance.
Hopefully it’s something that will give the lads confidence going into the opening game of our 4th NCEL campaign. This is the 3rd season in succession that the Blues have started the year with a home fixture, though the previous two have both resulted in defeats.
The last time the Blues secured victory on the opening day was a 1-0 victory over Maltby Main at the start of the 2022/23 season. The two openers that have followed were a 3-0 defeat to Campion and a 4-2 defeat last season to Pickering. Let’s hope for a stronger result tomorrow!!
Our Opponents
It will be a tough ask though as the Blues welcome Albion Sports to the Wezzie. The Lions will be fancying a strong campaign after just missing out on the playoffs last season.
On points, they should have featured in the play offs last season. It was only a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player, actually against the Blues in their victory over us last December, that cost them their place in the top 5.
Albion have made some statement signings as they look to push that step further this year, namely the eye catching signing of midfielder Adriano Mike from Guiseley as well as securing the services of former Eccleshill Captain Talent Ndlovu.
They amongst others bolster what has stayed a stellar squad from last season, with the bulk of that squad remaining for the new campaign.
The Lions have gone unbeaten in preseason, actually winning every one of their preseason friendlies. Their final match was Tuesday night when they secured a 2-1 victory over Harrogate Railway thanks to a brace of penalties from top scorer Nathan Cartman
Previous Meetings
It was one victory apiece for the two sides last season, with each team winning their respective home fixture.
A 90th minute Zavier Elkin strike saw the Blues pick up a 2-1 victory last August before Albion reversed the result with a 2-0 win last December, albeit the points were later deducted for the fielding of an ineligible player.
That victory last August was the Blues fist victory over Albion, with the Lions winning on 4 previous occasions and the two sides drawing on their first competitive meeting, a 1-1 draw during the 2022/24 season.
Match Information
So come on down to the Wezzie and get behind the lads as football returns. The bar and snack bar will be fully stocked and ready to go as yet another season gets underway.
Tomorrow will see the debut of our new electronic programme, which can now be found on our website and social media for those who wish to browse before the match.
It will also be a final chance to enter Football Bingo as tomorrow’s game will be the first that counts towards those lucky numbers. Have a chat to David Carr tomorrow if you want to sign up.
Finally, there will also be a minutes applause prior to kick off in memory of Tracy Clarkson, wife of long time club volunteer and former board member Ian Clarkson, and mum to our secretary Joel Clarkson, who sadly passed away during the off season at the age of 55. She will be very sadly missed and everyone’s thoughts at the club are with Ian, Joel and all their family during this time.
Let’s kick the new season off in style and get behind the lads!! Hope to see plenty of you there
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#forzafrickley
