Casuals and Pelhams third pre season friendly was one to forget as both teams were shambolic but the home side were more so. Both teams were fielding ringers and each team was not showcasing a side which would be true to the coming season. Both teams started with 10 men which didn't help and Pelham decided that even with ten men they would go for it and play three at the back. However this didn't go to plan as they found themselves behind early on, Doug Hazell conceding a direct free kick which went straight in to the top corner. Pelham were two down not long after and then three down on the 20 minute mark. Formation was changed and unfortunately players were forced to play out of position which didn't help season preparations at all. However once the change was made Pelham crept back into the game and created a couple of decent chances. However the good news didn't last for long as Pelham were soon down to 9 men. Both Doug Hazell and Dan Monk went for the same ball, but unfortunately for Dougie he got there first with his head and the monk soon arrived a couple of seconds after with his boot, connecting with Dougs face, busting it open and breaking his nose. Somehow Hazell came back on and tried to play on but this was short lived and left the field a couple of minutes later. Pelham would now play out the game with 9 men and another formation shift was made. The rest of the first half was played out and the teams went in St the half with Pelham 3-0 down. The second half started better for the home side and they started to piece together some decent play. They pulled a goal back eventually with some easy calm passing up the other end of the pitch and Dan Arran was on hand to finish the move off. They pulled a second goal back the same way as the first with the same man Dan Arran finishing the move off again. Pelham in the second half looked the better of the sides as they played the second part of the game in Westbuys half but got too complacent. As they looked like they would go on to get the next goal, the away side hit back and made the score 4-2. However Pelham once again played some simple passing football up the pitch and slotted home to pull back the scores to one goal difference again making it 4-3. The scoring wasn't over and some switching off from the home side again saw the two goal lead restored and that's how it finished, 5-3 to the away side. A game to forget for both sides and despite a bit of a run out and some well needed fitness before the season kicks off, there was no real benefit to the game. No man of the match today and no real need to reflect on the game too much really. With a well needed weekend off now next weekend, we only have three pre season friendlies remaining before the season kicks off. The first three have seen two bare 11's and then 10 down to 9 men take the field. With a expected squad of 22 men we should be getting more consistency than that and here's to hoping for a few more faces after this weekend off. Consistency and fitness over the next few weeks is vital so we can get a good start to this season, as the last we started slowly with two draws in games we could have won. I will have to judge the squad over the next two games otherwise if the numbers are still low I may have to look for some more bodies for the coming season.not
