Lancaster City boss believes side will grow into new season

Lancaster City boss Phil Brown is confident his side will grow into the new season.
Lancaster City boss Phil Brown. Picture: Tony NorthLancaster City boss Phil Brown. Picture: Tony North
Lancaster City boss Phil Brown. Picture: Tony North

The Dolly Blues have made a disappointing start to the Evo-Stik First Division North campaign, slipping to a 3-1 defeat at home to Droylsden on Saturday before failing to turn chances into goals in the 0-0 draw at Burscough on Tuesday night.

Brown said: “Maybe we’ve been a little bit apprehensive.

“I’m not exactly sure why because we had a decent pre-season.

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“It’s just affected our cohesion though. We need to embrace things a bit more and show a little more conviction.

“It’s early days. I’m obviously not ecstatic with the start, one point in six, but I’m not too despondent either.

“I’ve seen good signs, even in the game against Droylsden.

“I always said we’d grow in to the season. We’ve got a young squad and a lot of new players.”

Next up for City is a trip to the North East to face Northern League side West Auckland Town in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, always a marquee day for non-league clubs.

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Brown said: “It’s a great competition for clubs at our level and is a real money spinner.

“They are always difficult games going up the North East, I remember that back from when I was a player.

“It’s a really important game for us.

“They know we’ll be going up there to get a result but it will be tough.

“It’s one we’re really looking forward to though.”

Ahead of the opening day Brown added young Preston North End midfielder Adam Robinson to his squad on a one-month youth loan.

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With plenty of fresh faces now settling in at Giant Axe, the City boss is happy with what he has at his disposal with a final decision to be made on Billy McKenna, the winger having returned to the club on trial.

Brown said: “The squad is healthy in terms of numbers and there’s plenty of competition for places.

“I think that showed on Tuesday night.

“Ben Hudson came in and we kept a clean sheet, Simon Wills came in and did well and Louis Mayers came on and gave the whole side a bit of an edge.

“We’re okay in terms of numbers and depth.
“We’ve got Billy McKenna down on trial but you can flood things too much.

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“I’ve got 22 players at the moment so unless the right player comes along I’m happy with what I’ve got.”

Robinson missed the game at Burscough through illness with the Dolly Blues waiting for clearance from North End for the 18-year-old to play in the FA Cup.

Rob Henry also missed the game with a tight calf while Jordan Connerton picked up an ankle injury and could miss out at West Auckland.

Mayers did however play his first half an hour of the season after overcoming a calf problem.