THE WEEK THAT WAS AND THE WEEK THAT IS

In our relatively short history there can't of been many weeks that were quite as hectic both on and off the field. As is well documented by now the club and the management team parted ways, this is never an easy period and even more so when the outgoing manager, Daniel Barrett, had been in post for 10 years.

The club acted quickly to appoint a replacement manager and assistant, with Tom Claisse and Danny East filling the respective roles. When there is a change of stewardship it is common to expect a few personnel changes as well but perhaps not as many as the new managers were faced with in the lead up to the game at the weekend, against Hallam 1860 FC. Three players have been announced by their new clubs, with Reece York and Jack Richardson opting to switch to Step 6 side Brigg Town and Rio Molyneux moving to NPL East play-off chasing North Ferriby.

Leaving the squad a little short on numbers meant Boro had to be actively looking to swell the numbers and this was done both internally and externally with young Mason Couch being promoted from the Reserves, a move that underlines the clear pathway this club is capable of providing. Two familiar faces returned to the club with influential and top class defender, Tom Sawyer, happy to return to The Wilderness Boys, the other familiar face, and goalscorer at the weekend (more on this later in the article), was Jack Barlow whose quality on the ball was key in TC and Easty wanting him back the club. The final new arrival was Anane Wireko who followed the gaffer from South Leeds and if his debut on Saturday was anything to go by this was a very shrewd move.

We are sure there will be more quality added to the squad in the coming days/weeks so watch this space.

Onto Saturday, there was an air of anticipation, a feeling of intrigue as the sun initially shone over Technicas Home of Grimsby Borough. The weather for the afternoon actually proved to be quite the metaphor for how things progressed on the field.

The Boro line up saw Kian Johnson continue in goal after impressing away at Consett. The backline consisted of the ever reliable Tom Jamieson, the returning Tom Sawyer, Alfie Taylor and Paul Walker. They started in a 3 before the management adapted to the game conditions and switched to a 4. In midfield was skipper, Sam Topliss, the mercurial Josh Venney, and debutant Anane Wireko, ahead of them saw Jack Barlow and Tom Rennardson in support of Dayle Southwell.

Boro started on the front foot, and true to the managers promise, there were balls into the box, front foot football that saw plenty of activity in the oppositions box. However, Hallam remained a threat particularly on the break with experienced front man Danny South proving to be the thorn in our side. The game was quite frenetic and end to end but it was Boro who took the lead, and scored their first goal at home since the 4th October through Jack Barlow. A superb cross from the right hand side found Dayle Southwell whose header hit the bar, before a goal mouth scramble saw the ball land at Barlows feet and he passed the ball into the net to spark jubilant scenes, with smiles on the players and spectators faces.

As half time arrived Boro led one nil. Unfortunately, as the clouds darkened so did the mood at Bradley FDC. Early in the 2nd half we had an opportunity to double the lead but Dayles goal bound effort was excellently saved by the Hallam keeper. As Boro visibly tired and got deeper into their own half, Hallam took control and scored four goals to lead 4-1, as the game drew to an inevitable conclusion there was still time for Josh Venney to reduce the deficit with a delighted finish.

The general consensus on the terraces was one of optimism, once the squad has settled and the management team had more time with the lads on the training field, the results will come. Unfortunately, time on the training field is not a luxury we have this week with two home games in 4 days!

On Wednesday we entertain runaway league leaders Redcar FC who head South on the back of a 8-0 demolition away at Ashington and then the weekend sees Bridlington make the relatively short trip over the bridge in what is always a keenly contested fixture.

We hope to see lots of returning and new faces at Bradley this week with two entertaining fixtures expected.