Gibraltar International Adam Priestley is back to wreak havoc, but he might not walk straight into the Garforth Town starting eleven, Rob Hunter has said.
Marquee summer signing Priestley is yet to make a competitive appearance for Garforth since returning because of a holiday, but he’s back for the big local derby with ambitious Yorkshire Amateur at Bracken Edge tomorrow.
With the Miners upsetting Northern League giants Shildon in the FA Cup in midweek, Hunter admits his selection decisions are difficult for the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division fixture.
“Adam Priestley is a proven goal-scorer at a lot higher level than this and he’s going to be hard to keep out of the team,” Hunter told Non League Yorkshire.
“Curtly Martin-Wyatt came off the bench on Tuesday and scored a great goal. He also came off the bench and scored against Handsworth.
“He’s not quite fit enough to do 90 minutes, but he’s an unbelievable player for you to have available to you to come off the bench and make a difference.
“Sean Hunter and Mark Simpson are also working incredibly hard. So that’s four top centre-forwards. I’ve also got Lee Turner who can do a job in there.
“I’ve got a great array of quality in the top positions. To have Adam Priestley for the Yorkshire Amateur gives me a great headache because if I play him, I’ve got to leave Sean Hunter or Mark Simpson out of the team which would be incredibly tough and harsh after three superb performances.”
One player definitely missing the East Leeds derby is captain marvel James Beaston whose hamstring problem rules him out for three weeks.
Going into the fixture, Hunter claims there is no pressure on his team.
“It is just a fixture, another league game,” he said.
“They’re favourites to win the league, we’re a team who have done really well over the last two months with our organisation, shape and work-rate.
“If we get beat on Saturday I won’t lose any sleep over it.
“We haven’t got the type of squad that is going to win the league, but we have the type of squad that can compete at the top of this league.
“I’ve said all along that if we can compete in the top six, I’ll be incredibly pleased with what we have achieved and I think we are capable of finishing in the top six.”
Excitement at Garforth is at levels unseen since the great Steve Nichol era.
The signing of Priestley raised them and the opening day win over Handsworth, plus the FA Cup replay triumph over Shildon – arguably the club’s greatest win since the 2012 victory over Skelmersdale – have lifted them even further.
Although pleased with the start and how it has galvanised everyone, Hunter warned supporters to not get carried away.
“We were unbeaten for six games in pre-season and we have had two wins and a draw to start the season off, but it could all come falling down on us when we play Yorkshire Amateur,” he said.
“We have created a lot of excitement and that is fantastic for the club.
“My job is to win football matches, but if I win football matches well with this team with the kind commitment and effort they’re showing, hopefully people will come back through the gates.”