City made a good left-side break, with a strong attempt just over. A similar move, an angled header to Price's left, 1-0, 3 mins. In response, Molesley & Partington linked well in midfield, & Alan Connell-look-alike Smith (hair, movement) was cute about the offside trap. His shot hit the base of the post & back to the keeper. Then City sliced open Boscombe but a foul caused the goal to be disallowed. Bradbury was sort-of right-wing-back; perhaps the formation allowed City to have another shot - tipped round. A home cross, low, was not converted. Boscombe had a corner, leading to pinball, with several efforts blocked. Molesley's volley was tipped over. Costa was buzzy on the left, putting over a few crosses with either foot. Fletcher was not given sufficient service to be effective. The ref. was prompt with timing - 1900 KO, 1945 whistle. HT: 1-0.
Same sides at the prompt (2000) restart. City favourite (& Boscombe reject) Tubbs had a close effort; his side showed commitment & organisation. This Ajoge guy looked useful at right-back or right-centre-back; solid, bit of pace. Austin went off for Hutchings (9 for 29) on 53; Webb replaced Partington. Fletcher was more into it by now. Then Matthews nodded in for 2-0 on 58 - poor defensive communication. Fletcher came off on 59 for a kid; Molesley off on 62 for another, & as for the lad who replaced Bradbury on 65, it was 20 minutes past his bedtime… An away free on the forward left was poor, to the keeper; Smith went off. But a drive was deflected up by a home defender & Hutchings back-headed it over the keeper. 2-1, 70; well-taken.
Costa had come over to the right, with Webb deep inside-right & prompting well. But otherwise it was somewhat disjointed. A City sub cut through easily, with Tindall knackered - but he still came back to clear for a corner. Tindall & Costa came off on 80 for 2 youngsters, one a carrot-top who went to left-back. Webb was muscled out, losing the ball; the shot was deflected & Price twisted well to push round the post. Then a great long crossfield for a far post volley (marking?), but Price was down well. The City 21 cut inside Ajoge, hared into the area, & let fly with a tremendous shot across Price, in off the far post. 3-1, 89. Game over. FT: 3-1.
I'm not sure how valuable these exercises are, apart from fitness for the main squad & an opportunity for the kids to run around in front of the boss. But such a defeat can't be good for morale. I was disappointed in Partington; his opponents were just 1 division lower but I'd've wanted him to impose himself more. Austin seemed a little out of his depth; Smith nippy & alert but too young/small for our immediate needs? However, the overall shape was maintained generally, and whoever took up a position held it, so that's some sort of plus.
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Peter Wicks, Bulford