Ashy lays down the gauntlet for players ahead of Workington game (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Ashy lays down the gauntlet for players ahead of Workington game

1:00pm Saturday 11th August 2012 in Football By Scott Kirk, Reporter

KENDAL Town boss Lee Ashcroft has laid down the gauntlet for his players to push for their places to start in Town’s opening league game.

The Black and Whites take on Conference North side Workington Reds at Parkside Road on Saturday a week before their Evo-Stik Premier Division curtain-raiser at home to Stafford Rangers.

He is looking for a squad of around 19 to 20 players to challenge over the upcoming months.

George Melling’s work commitments mean that he will not be playing for Kendal Town this season.

He was unavailable for midweek matches so he will play for West Lancashire Premier Division outfit Charnock Richard this season.

Mike Baron has also returned to Ambleside United citing regular first team football as his main reason for returning to the West Lancashire Division One side.

Town boss Lee Ashcroft is still working on securing Gary McEvatt’s signature for next season - a player he believes will have a big impact for the Black and Whites should he agree to play for the side in 2012-13.

Rory Winters has returned from America and he is back into the equation for the side, while Gavin Malin is still in the squad, as are the three potential goalkeepers.