Blues boss looking forward to FC United clash

 Source: Whitby Gazette

 WHITBY Town manager Tommy Cassidy is looking forward to Wednesday night’s trip to FC United of Manchester and believes there’s more to come from on-loan striker Callum Hassan, writes Andrew Snaith.

The powerfully-built 6’3” 18-year-old played as a lone striker in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Matlock, making a memorable debut.

And Cassidy thinks the youngster from Hartlepool United will improve throughout his month with Town.

The Blues’ boss told the Whitby Gazette: “We’ve got to get to know him very well, at the moment, he’s still a stranger in the camp.

“I thought he did all right, he’s won his headers and probably on Wednesday night, we’ll see him play better.

“I think he will be successful here in the next four weeks.”

The former Northern Ireland star paid tribute to another midfielder, also on a temporary spell from Victoria Park, Lewis Hawkins.

Cassidy is hoping the teenager can recover after limping off with a knee injury at the weekend, adding:

“I thought he did very very well indeed, his passing was good and he ran at people.”

Approaching the first anniverary of his appointment, the Whitby manager thinks too many draws have cost his side so far:

“After 11 games and you’ve only lost four of them, you think you haven’t done badly, but there’s been six draws,” he said.

“So we’ve lost 12 points in those games, (on Saturday) I put someone on to try and win the game.

“But it’s a long season, we’ve got to try to build for the future and I think I am doing at the moment.”

Cassidy also revealed he’s received an offer from Northern Counties East side Barton Town Old Boys for striker Rob McDermid, who didn’t feature on Saturday.

The Ulsterman wants the frontman - a towering presence like Hassan - to stay with Whitby.

He admitted the summer capture from Kirkbymoorside needs football, but is still part of his plans at the Turnbull Ground.

Meanwhile Cassidy thinks the Blues have a real opportunity to end their six-match winless run against United on Wednesday.

Cassidy enthused: “I’m really looking forward to getting down there, I think the pitch will suit us as we try to play a bit of football now.

“Maybe a year ago or last season, I’d have thought it would be very difficult.

“But I still think we’ve got a great chance of winning the game.”

The Lancashire side, formed by Manchester United supporters in 2005, play at Bury’s Gigg Lane and currently lie ninth in the Evo Stik Premier.

Kick-off is 7.45pm, with admission set at £8 adults, £5 over 60s and £2 under 18s.

The Blues entertain North Ferriby United on Saturday in the FA Cup second qualifying round, with £4,500 prize money at stake.

Blues boss looking forward to FC United clash

Published on Monday 26 September 2011 09:14