Marine boss lays down gauntlet to squad

The Mariners began the 2022/23 season with one of the largest squads in the division.

With striker Mo Touray (ankle) and midfielders Jack Dunn (hamstring) and Alex Doyle nearing returns to full fitness, competition for places in the starting XI is high.

Last season’s Pitching In NPL West Division play-off final winners have enjoyed a solid return to the division, winning 3-0 away at Guiseley - relegated from the National League North - before playing out a goalless draw with Lancaster City on Tuesday night.

Young believes the Mariners are slowly growing to the task as they look to find a formula for success.

"I said to the lads, we've got a big squad of players, and that was always the plan,” he told the club’s official YouTube channel.

"We don't need heroes, but lads will be given opportunities. Callum [Harris] and Hayden [Campbell] came on on Saturday and did really well.

"We're still a work in progress, but we're getting closer to where we need to be.”

Their unbeaten start to the new campaign will be put to the test on Saturday when they host promotion favourites South Shields.

The ‘Battle of the Mariners’ will give Marine’s young squad a better taste of what they can expect from the top sides in the division, according to their boss.

"There's no easy games in the league. It'll be a different type of game again,” he said.

"They're a very good side with some excellent players, favourites to win the league, but it's just a game of football.

"It'll be another test. They'll keep the ball a lot and move us around, so it's how we deal with it."