Pre-Season 2016/17


Pre-season saw me take in the trip to Heswall, the match at the Arriva Stadium against Tranmere, and the trip to Sandbach.


The trip to Heswall started on a bit of a wrong footing as a Josh O'Connell clearance took a deflection, which fell into the path of a Heswall striker, who then had a simple finish.  That was in the first minute.


We were back level on 6 mins, as a Heswall defender misconstrued and toe poked a cross past his own keeper.


On the quarter hour mark, new signing Jason Carey stepped up to the mark by sending in Kevin Leadbetter to give us the lead.


Carey went on to get his first goal for the club on the half hour. Into the second half, he went on to mark his debut by scoring two more, which of course completed his hatrick.  Carey also set up another for Mark Kirby in a 7-1 victory.


I was on the gate for the visit of Tranmere Rovers XI nearly two weeks later, and missed an early Rovers goal during my time on the gate.  Apparently, it was Josh O'Connell again with a dodgy clearance, echoing shades of Heswall.


For their part, Tranmere Rovers had ex-Everton keeper Ian Turner in goal.


The Reds drew level on the half hour mark as Mini Adegbenro was played through by Paul Speed. Mini fired an excellent shot which Ian Turner could do nothing about.


A couple of minutes later, Mini turned provider to square for Jason Carey, and the Reds went in 2-1 at the break.


Tranmere struck back on the midway point of the second half, and 2-2 was how it stayed.


The final pre-season match I saw was the trip to Sandbach United. It was probably one of those days in which I should have ditched directions in advance, kept on a memo on my phone, and instead just used the device for directions.


It was at the time the pokemon phenomena was popular, and two elderly women questioned if I was actually searching for Pokemon!


We were 1-0 down at Sandbach at Half Time. Our best chance saw us play Conor Wright (no 11) in on the left, but closed down.


A few chances at both ends ensued in the early stages of the second half, as the game got stretched a bit. Our best chance saw us hit the post.


Unfortunately, a slip in possession by Marvin Molyneux let Sandbach in to add a second goal.



Mikey White and Jason Carey had been rested during the first half. It was a cheeky flick from Carey which gave the Reds a late consolation, as Carey's class shone through a few times during the closing stages.



On the whole, there was a good buzz around the club with the players brought in that summer.  



Following the final pre-season match at Sandbach, thoughts were very much turning to the following weekend, when the real business was set to begin with an FA Cup tie at West Didsbury and Chorlton.

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