Don't fluff your lines in front of another bumper Hebburn crowd, players warned

The Hornets are back at home in their first match at the Sports & Social Ground since their Northern League Division Two clash there against Team Northumbria a fortnight ago.

On that occasion, a bumper crowd of 281 watched Hebburn lose 3-0, and Oliver hopes that some of the fans who turned out in force to support the cash-strapped club haven’t been put off by that display.

Indeed, he is hoping for a turn-out close to their record attendance for a game sponsored by the club’s junior section and potentially backed by good support from the town once again.

And Oliver wants his team to deliver.

He said: “We fluffed our lines in front of a big crowd at home last time round so we are all keen to show people that we are better than our recent results have shown.

“We looked good going forward last Saturday but shaky at the back.

“For the first time in weeks, competition for places is hotting up and I am confident in finishing the season well. I hope the public will back us again on tomorrow.”

Glen Hargrave, Scott Wallace and Will Jarvis Smith return for tomorrow’s game but Hebburn will be without Callum Smith who has tonsillitis.

Adam Rundle and James Davidson are still out injured, while goalkeeper Steve Hubery misses the next two games.

Oliver added: “Lee Burrell will play in goal and he has deputised well for Hubery this season when called upon.

“The game is sponsored by our junior section and I seriously considered playing the under-18 keeper, Joe Furniss, but we are hoping for a crowd near our record of 515 and in the end I thought it was a big ask for Joe to make his debut in such a game.

“The lad’s attitude has been superb but I have to be careful when I put him in.”