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7-1 away at Bethel

4th August 2010

7-1 and a good performance, but don't run away with the idea that this was one way traffic, for the 1st half hour Bethel more than matched us for effort, pace and created good chances that but for the excellent Shaun Pearson in fine form in goal, would have seen them in the lead.

A nice setup at Bethel and a warm welcome from a team that look destined for a higher level in the future, good pitch and great after match hospitality.

We played some good attacking football switching across the pitch and passing well, but the hosts defended resolutely and gave us little time on the ball, The breakthrough came on the half hour with a well struck bottom corner shot from Marc Evans shortly followed by a penalty by him for a foul on Leigh Craven. Darren Gowans got on the sheet with a right foot strike just before half time.

A shake up at the turn and we were quickly back into our stride with a 2nd for Gowans, one for Yws Gwynedd after good work front to back, and Loggs completing his hat trick in fine style. Some sloppy rear work let them in for a goal wide of Shaun who had pulled off several good saves earlier, but then Gowans completed his hat trick just before the end.

A good workout for both sides and I am sure both will take something from the game.

Our midfield worked at a high tempo with Darren Thomas impressing with his strength on the ball and quick feet, Marc Evans again turned in a top show tirelessly running the line, feeding teammates and bagging 3 himself, and Craven looked composed in the middle with some pinpoint passing.

Two more games to prepare for the opening game and the side is shaping up well.

3-3 at home to Winsford

2nd August 2010

Our first home game of the pre season, we hosted Winsford United FC, from the Vodkat League (same as Chester City), The Blues brought a big, strong squad down and it provided an entertaining, competitive match.

Inevitably with pre season games, there were many changes and we played 15 players in fives at an hour each, which gave a good indication of how everyone fits in with each other.

The first hour was very even, we played deep across the back as in earlier games building slowly across the field, but with our pace through the middle we had the better chances; Warren Gibbs headed narrowly wide from a corner, Marc Evans also rose well to glance just wide from a Matty Hughes cross and the same player hit a half chance into the ground which took the pace off it. At our end Paul Pritchard did well to save at the feet of their big number 9 and also turned a good effort wide. Their game tended to be long and more direct as befits the league they play in, with their forwards being robust and a quick eye for goal.

All change on the hour 5 off and 5 on, and before we could settle into the new formation a ball wide was put out for a corner, but we were caught napping for a good finish at the near post to put the visitors one up. This raised their game and we came under a lot of pressure with shots coming from all parts long and close range, so it was with the play that they went two up from a poor headed clearance and a first time shot from the edge of the box that flew past the stranded Pritchard. We did well to keep our cool and formation, but it was a great piece of footwork that put Jamie Aston in sight of goal and his strong dipping shot beat the keeper on the stroke of half time to turn round at 2-1.

2^nd half carried on with end to end stuff but our pace in the midfield started to tell and a through ball from Matty Hughes had the lively Darren Thomas outpacing his marker, taking it up to the keeper and equalising inside the far post.  On the hour it was 5 off and 5 on again, when we caught out by a surge from Winsford, a bit of uncertainty at the back and they were in for their 3^rd.  Into the last 20 minutes and our quick interchanges both through the middle and out to the wings began to tell on some tired legs. Jamie Aston chased down a wide right ball, was strong enough to hold off his man at the bye line and hit a deep back post cross that Darren Gowans met on the volley to give the keeper no chance and level the game at 3-3. A fair result overall and another positive team performance all-round, to answer a few more questions in our preparation.

Airbus game ends 2-1

29th July 2010

very good pre season game against top opposition and although ending 2-1 to the hosts, we competed well and didn't look out of our depth

A game of changes throughout with both sides using their full first team squads where available. Shaun turned out in goal whilst waiting on an outcome to his Barrow trials, and just a couple of players missing plus a couple on trial with us. First half was very even with us again building deep from the back, Yws Gwynedd playing more of a free role to Rich Higham's holding position, but the pace of Darren Thomas and his first touch caused them problems on the ground. Marc Evans put in yet another excellent shift and has brought a new dimension to his game with his tireless running and closing down; he created several good chances and is bringing other players in well. There were two good chances at each end with Shaun recovering to block one and their keeper doing likewise to see the game 0-0 at the break.

Both teams made a few changes at half time and we were caught dead wide left for them to open the scoring on 47 minutes, but whilst we had less of the ball and with them closing us down a lot more quickly, we did break wide and fast. Against the run a little we equalised from a pinpoint cross from the right for Darren to nip in and head home over the keeper. This raised our spirits and our game with Daz and Loggs interchanging well, but it was tired legs and a misjudged ball going out that brought the winning goal on 90 minutes from their exciting signing Cassidy from Llandudno Junction, who looks destined for greater things.

We will not meet many teams of this calibre in our league so are pleased with the performance as the team gels together.

Many thanks to Airbus - Craig and Stewart - for putting the game on and praise for what looks to be the best surface in the area and excellent all round facilities