Tadcaster Albion are the favourites for the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title, according to Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager Craig Elliott
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Craig Elliott claims Shaw Lane Aquaforce are the “underdogs” in their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division opening day fixture at Tadcaster Albion.
Two of the many title challengers meet in the game of the day in the NCEL and Elliott regards Tadcaster as the “favourites” to win promotion.
Elliott told Non League Yorkshire: “It’s a cracker on paper.
“It’s a difficult start against the team who I consider to be favourites for the league.
“They did well last year and they have recruited some good players this summer.
“They have a great manager in Marshy who is a top manager at this level of football.
“It is going to a massive test for us and we go there as underdogs.
“But, we’ll go there and give it our best shot.”
Elliott, who guided Shaw Lane over the Division One promotion finish line last season, has never previously spoken about the expectations for the 2014-15 season.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Tadcaster, he added: “The aims are to be up there, but it’s going to be difficult.
“I’m not playing it down, but there are seven or eight teams who think they have a chance as well.
“What we do lack is the 12 or 15 month’s worth of progression which teams like Handsworth and Tadcaster have.
“You have to remember we are new to the league and have a new set of players playing together.”
The Shaw Lane chief has also received some good news as striker Lee Morris’s injury is as bad as first suspected.
It was first thought that Morris had damaged his achilles, but the prognosis only diagnosed a pulled calf muscle.
The striker is expected to return to action very soon.