Bryan Hughes (right) and Paul Foot (left) believe their defence is looking good at Scarborough
Bryan Hughes believes Scarborough Athletic’s rear guard is making a real difference.
The Seadogs are flying high at the top of the Evo Stik Division One North table after four wins and four clean sheets.
Their latest victory was the 6-0 hammering of Harrogate Railway on Monday night.
Asked if the experience of their defenders or work on the training ground was the reason why his and joint manager Paul Foot’s back four had clicked so quickly, Hughes said: “A bit of both.
“I think Ryan Qualter and Nathan Peat are big influences in our defence and we still have Leigh Franks to come back in.
“Steve Mallory has done a job for us at right-back. Paul Robson is an experienced player. Joe Lampulgh has been around as has Matty Plummer.
“We have a lot of experience in our back four now and I think that is really helping us.
“It is certainly showing this season with four clean sheets.
“We are a good attacking threat and myself and Paul identified things with our defence last season.
“Last season was a learning curve for us and we just missed out on the play-offs.
“To keep progressing you have to bring players in who help you do that and I think we have.”
Scarborough take a break from league action tomorrow as they’re heading to Consett for the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.
The winner could face Tadcaster Albion in the next round.
Bradford City work experience goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood is expected to appear again, but Scarborough have signed Robert Zand, who played for Selby last season, from Brigg to additional cover.
Ben Simpson, Leigh Franks and Matty Bloor are injured. Ryan Qualter is also unable to play as part of his loan agreement with Bradford (Park Avenue).
Hughes added: “With the way we have started the season we deserve to be favourites coming into an FA Cup tie.
“It will be a tough game, we won’t under-estimate them. They won their replay quite convincingly so we have done our homework on them.
“We’ll go there full of confidence and hopefully progress into the next round.
“There is a big potential tie afterwards between two up-and-coming clubs. We were lucky to play Tadcaster in pre-season so we know a little bit about them.
“First and foremost we have to deal with Saturday’s game.”