Brig handed Boro trip on opening day
Neil Crowe’s men will head to the east coast on Saturday, August 13, before welcoming Colne to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium the following Tuesday.
On the face of it, the opening two fixtures look kind on Brig as Boro finished third from bottom last season, while Colne are inexperienced at this level after winning promotion.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHowever, they will be wary of the fact that Colne defeated Brig in the LFA Challenge Trophy last season and head into the new campaign full of confidence after winning the North West Counties Premier Division title.
Boro will also be looking to repeat their exploits of the season before last when they agonisingly missed out on a play-off place.
To complete the first month of the campaign, Brig travel to Ossett Albion on Saturday, August 27, before hosting old rivals Lancaster City on Bank Holiday Monday.
A run of three consecutive derby matches should whet the appetite of the club’s supporters during the months of October and November.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFirst, Burscough travel to Irongate on Tuesday, October 18, before Clitheroe arrive at Brig the following Saturday. The first day of November sees Crowe’s men travel to Parkside Road to take on Kendal Town.
Over the Christmas period, Brig are away to Colne on Christmas Eve and at home to Prescot Cables on Boxing Day. The return fixture against Lancaster City is the first game of 2017. The penultimate game of the season sees Brig travel to Prescot on Easter Monday before the curtain comes down on the regular season on April 22 with a home fixture against Ossett Albion.
Crowe has been relatively pleased with his side’s displays during pre-season.
In the big derby clash against Preston, the players gave a good account of themselves to lose by the narrow margin of 2-1.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSince then they conceded two late goals in a 3-0 defeat to League Two outfit Morecambe, before drawing 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers Under-21s on Saturday.
The team’s preparations during pre-season have been slightly hampered by player unavailability due to work commitments and holidays.
“It’s been a bit hit and miss so far,” said Crowe. “With holidays and work commitments, we have not been going at full strength during pre-season.
“It’s just about getting our fitness levels up and getting ourselves ready for the first game on August 13.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThis evening, Brig are set for their fifth pre-season friendly when they travel to Charnock Richard, who begin the new season in the North West Counties’ League after spending the past 23 years in the West Lancashire League.
August
Sat 13 (A) Scarborough Athletic
Tue 16 (H) Colne
Sat 27 (A) Ossett Albion
Mon 29 (H) Lancaster City
September
Sat 10 (A) Droylsden
Sat 17 (H) Colwyn Bay
Tue 20 (H) Mossley
Sat 24 (A) Hyde United
Tue 27 (A) Radcliffe Borough
October
Sat 1 (H) Tadcaster Albion
Sat 15 (A) Trafford
Tue 18 (H) Burscough
Sat 22 (H) Clitheroe
November
Tue 1 (A) Kendal Town
Sat 5 (A) Ossett Town
Sat 12 (H) Goole AFC
Sat 19 (H) Glossop North End
Sat 26 (A) Farsley Celtic
December
Sat 3 (H) Droylsden
Tue 6 (A) Mossley
Sat 10 (A) Colwyn Bay
Sat 17 (H) Hyde United
Sat 24 (A) Colne
Mon 26 (H) Prescot Cables
January
Mon 2 (A) Lancaster City
Sat 7 (H) Brighouse Town
Sat 14 (A) Ramsbottom United
Sat 21 (H) Radcliffe Borough
Sat 28 (A) Burscough
February
Sat 4 (H) Trafford
Sat 11 (A) Tadcaster Albion
Sat 18 (H) Ramsbottom United
Sat 25 (A) Clitheroe
Tue 28 (H) Kendal Town
March
Sat 4 (H) Ossett Town
Sat 11 (A) Goole AFC
Sat 25 (H) Farsley Celtic
April
Sat 1 (A) Glossop North End
Sat 8 (A) Brighouse Town
Sat 15 (H) Scarborough Athletic
Mon 17 (A) Prescot Cables
Sat 22 (H) Ossett Albion