The first game of the season saw us up against the all conquering Oakdale/New Inn who managed to sweep all before them last year.
We started with the favoured five in midfield and looked comfortable until we conceded the first goal. Their number 5 was particularly quick and we had Mikey on him!!!!!!! However considering the clear difference in pace, he did not to shoddy. Whereas Les was just relieved to have someone who was around his own pace of a bit slow.
Shane Dean as always looked strong in his favoured left back role and the only time he was troubled was when the players in front of him did not track back (Meggsy). However this was not often and the two linked up well with Barry joining in. The right hand side were getting to know each other with Chrispy linking up with the clubs new B.I.T.C.H Nick. Nick done very well in the first half and made some timely interventions that would have certainly led to goals. Chrispy started of quietly but grow into the game when he was forced to get amongst it.
Down the centre in midfield Richey threw up!!!!!! He was looking his particular healthy self and as a result Crap was required to that little bit more running. However once Richey got his illness out he was his usual self running up down the pitch like a headless chicken. Crap and Lilla both had their moments and impressed. Lilla broke up play well but will need to give the shorter pass more often. Crapper was solid when he was in the game, however for me he went quite in spells and it showed as the midfield were starting to get overrun.
Barry did well on his own up front and had some good link up play, however when we started to tire as the first half went on he became isolated.
We went two down when their player shot from distance and jock just watched it sail past him. We pulled ourselves back in the game when Olly had the worst free kick I have ever seen. He scuffed it off his shin and it hit 138 players before falling to Crap, he loaded his laser, pulled the trigger and malfunctioned!!!! Shit goal.
We went into the half 2-1 down and by no means disgrace, as they are a good team and I have seen them humiliate teams before. However I do think they were missing their two stars players Ash and Craig McLaughlin.
Christer entered the fray and all New Inn players were told to put on extra shin pads, he did well, considering by now were soaking up the player rather than attacking. They soon went 3-1 up when another defensive blunder was punished. However fresh of the bench came Steven Canham to haul our arses back into the game, with a 2 yard blockbuster, laid on a plate by Meggsy.
We had a chance to draw level but Meggsy fluffed his lines…Twice. By now Oakdale were having chance after chance and could have had a good few more if it was not for Jock, he pulled save of after save as his defence in front of him melted. However they did get through and made it 4-2.
Canham took a quick corner and Wyness(The good looking one….Liam) laid in on a plate for Meggsy to fire us with a chance of a draw. However to be fair they a few more chances to kill the game.
All in all not a bad start to our pre season.
