“An important step up in preseason preparation” is how manager Andy Brown described Dickens Heath FC’s first ever match as the pre-season friendly against Division Two side Wing Jobs ended in a 1-1 draw. With six squad players missing through injury or holiday, three trialists were brought in as the manager tested his players abilities in positions that may not necessarily be their own.
Resplendent in their new white away kit, Dickens Heath started the stronger, creating several half chances in the opening minutes. Sam Oji and James Hoad were a constant threat down the left, and with Jack Burrell and Andrew Townsend marshalling a tight defence, the first chance of the game fell to the Dickens Heath left midfielder when Hoad cut in from the wing to narrowly shoot wide. Scott Darnley and Gio Citro gave the Division Two team a torrid time in midfield and with Rich Storer and Carlo Marshall dropping deep to create extra space for themselves, it was Hoad once again with a chance to score, but again, just failed to convert.
Ant Richings, impressing as an emergency right back, linked well with skipper Mike McCarthy down the right giving an alternative threat as Wing Jobs attempted to counter the attacking capabilities of the newly formed team. A free kick from Rich Storer tested the keeper, with James Hoad just being beaten by the keeper to the rebound. It was down the left that Dickens Heath took the lead, Sam Oji breaking forward from left back, danced his way into the area before cooling slotting the ball home.
The second half saw repeated substitutions by the home team, and as the heat of the afternoon took its toll, Wing Jobs gained more of a foothold into the game. Several Dickens Heath players were changed positionally as the manager continued his pre-season assessment, ensuring that the nine registered players received the full ninety minutes of action. As the second half continued, Dickens Heath continued to push forward, looking for a second but also mindful of the counter attacking abilities of the home team. Keeper Craig Harrison had little action, other than a few back passes but ultimately was undone when a Wing Jobs attack down their own left flank lead to a goal in the 65th minute. As the game drew to a close, Dickens Heath battled hard, maintaining their fitness levels despite the heat and had a couple of testing shots to the home keeper, and a great chance to snatch the win when Rich Storer corner was headed over by centre back Jack Burrell.
“Bearing in mind it was the first time the lads have stepped onto the pitch together, it was a great performance from the team. A lot of the work in training has come onto the pitch and we’ve got a better idea of where we are.”
The next friendly is against fellow Division Three team BC United at Brick Kiln Lane.
