NICKY Henry is looking forward to his first game in the Nationwide Conference as head coach of Scarborough and knows that anything that has happened in pre-season games counts for nothing.

"We have had a good run up to the season but now it is the real thing and with such a competitive league this season it is vital that we get away to a good start," he said.

Henry is pondering over who should partner former Leeds United and Notts County striker Tony Hackworth in attack with both Robert Gill and Steve Burton looking lively in the last few games.

"It is the only little problem I have and I shall leave it as late as possible before I tell them who is playing," he said.

Kevin Nicholson has signed a short-term deal and will play at left-back replacing the suspended Steve Baker, who was sent off in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Leeds United Reserves.

The Seadogs will have three debutants on show in vastly experienced midfielder Neil Redfearn, Tyrone Thompson and either Gill or Burton.

Woking finished the season very strongly and are considered by many to be candidates for a play-off spot.

Former Southampton player Glen Cockerill is the man in charge and Henry said of him: "One thing you can be sure of that any side of Glen's will be very hard working with a lot of pace."

Scarborough will need to keep a close eye on Woking's new boy Steven Evens. The Welsh midfielder, who signed for the Cards this summer, should make his league debut on Saturday and has a knack for imposing himself on matches.

Before he was released by Brentford he made 48 appearances, scoring five times and impressing Cockerill sufficiently to take him on at Kingfield Stadium.

Scarborough (probable): Walker, Lyth, Hotte, Cryan, Nicholson, Thompson, Redfearn, Kerr, Gilroy, Hackworth, Gill. Subs from Burton, Senior, Foot, Downey, Pounder, Coulson.

Updated: 11:37 Friday, August 13, 2004