Beverley Town have made a dream start to life in the Northern Counties East League, winning their first two games after promotion.
With their Norwood home being used for cricket, the Beavers have had to start their campaign on the road, with trips to Athersley Recreation and Ollerton Town.
Two clean sheets and two away wins meant they were one of only five sides with a 100 per cent record after the second weekend of the season, putting them in a play-off spot in fifth as the Division One table took shape.
Beverley’s first taste of the NCEL saw them travel to South Yorkshire, where Nathan Ofori made history by scoring the club’s first goal at step five, in a 1-0 win at Athersley.
Manager Dave Ricardo said: “Athersley were a big, strong, physical side, but we played some terrific stuff and in the first half we opened them up five, six or seven times and their goalkeeper made three fantastic saves.
“We rested on our laurels a bit in the second half and they stepped up and had a real go at us.”
Ricardo hailed his young midfield for their efforts and hopes to have a little more experience at his disposal in that area soon.
Tom Bennett is on his way back from injury while Daniele Mannini was unavailable for the opening game of the season.
The Italian’s arrival at Beverley Town made national headlines last month, when it emerged that it had come about because of a chance meeting with chairman Mark Smith while they were walking their dogs.
Little did Smith know, but the man he had invited to pre-season training had been a professional in Italy for almost 20 years, representing Pisa, Napoli and Sampdoria, with more than 150 Serie A appearances under his belt.
“Dani didn’t have international clearance for the Athersley game,” said Ricardo.
“I’ve never had to contact the Italian FA to check a professional contract before as an NCEL manager.
“He is a fantastic guy, down to earth, and he is playing for the social side of things.
“He is working hard for his father-in-law’s food business and only moved to England a month before the COVID pandemic.
“He knows this is the opportunity to build his life outside football, but his attitude has been very good.”
Having been used to the surfaces at the San Siro and other top flight stadia, he may have wondered what he had let himself in for when he saw the pitch at Ollerton Town, where he made his debut.
Ricardo said he was picking weeds off the grass before kick off, but his side were unaffected and Mannini played 80 minutes in a 2-0 win.
Reece Moody put the Beavers ahead just before half-time and Chris Adams sealed the points in the final minute.
“For some of our players, there has been a step up now that the season has started,” said Ricardo.
“There is more pressure and we have raised our expectations of them.
“I can’t really relax until the final whistle. We have such an opportunity to realise our potential and I want it to go as well as it can do.”
Next Tuesday (16th August) will be a momentous day for the club as it hosts its first home game at NCEL level, when Rossington Main visit Norwood.
“It is historic for us and we know it will be a hard game,” Ricardo continued.
“Rossington are a good side, with a couple of decent ex-pros, including striker Ross Hannah.
“Defensively, we have been very good so far. James Piercy has been outstanding. I don’t think any team will want to play us.
“We will get beaten, but we will be a match for anybody and I don’t expect us to get turned over this season if we play to our potential.”
Before hosting Rossington, Beverley are at Parkgate this Saturday (13th August).
They finish the month with a trip to Shirebrook Town on Saturday 27th and then are at home to Swallownest three days later.
“Thank you to the committee and fans for their support,” said Ricardo.
“We had more fans at Ollerton than the home club and took 30 or 40 to Athersley.
“It means a lot to the management and players and is greatly appreciated.”
