Day 105

Striker Sam Smith returned to full training today. It might take him a couple of weeks to get his fitness up, but I'm glad to have him back. We could do with his physical style to mix things up in attack.

The Reserves hosted North Ferriby for a friendly match. I filled the team with trial players—Miro at left back, slightly out of position so that Johann Smith could take the left wing; Tô up front; Mofokeng in defensive midfield, pushed forward so that Miro and Fatih Akyel could be full backs; Chalwe and Old in central defence; and Khano Smith as Tô's strike partner, playing further forward than he'd like because we had too many left wingers to look at.

It only took five minutes for the team of trialists to score. Johann Smith met a deep Fatih Akyel cross with a brilliant diving header, leaving the North Ferriby keeper stranded.

Tô could—and perhaps should—have doubled the lead ten minutes later when a wayward backpass crossed his path. He raced forward and tried to chip the onrushing goalkeeper, but his shot went wide of the mark. Then it was North Ferriby's turn to be wasteful. My defenders gifted them an opportunity from close range, but the shot wasn't good enough to beat Halstead.

Back up the other end, Khano Smith hit the post from six yards out. It wasn't quite a home-and-hosed certain goal, but it was pretty close to it.

I took Miro off at half time, reverting to the usual advanced 4-4-2 (Mofokeng dropped to left back and substitute Conal Platt slotted in central midfield). I wanted to see more of the defensive winger, but he was clearly struggling with a knock. Halstead made way for youngster Oliver Pannel. I had made my decision to start Halstead in the next league game.

North Ferriby had been tearing holes in our defence all day, and they finally made us pay on 54 minutes. Old won a tackle that spilled to one of their players, who slid the ball through to Old's vacated space for his strike partner to equalise.

Khano Smith put us back in the lead, but only after a bit of luck. The winger-cum-striker went on a mazy run and rounded the keeper, then hit his shot straight into a defender. Lady luck smiled on him, though, and the rebound landed right at his feet. He made no mistake the second time.

A wonder strike from North Ferriby striker Liam Hinds levelled the scores on 68 minutes. Poor Pannell never stood a chance, despite the shot coming from way outside the box.

But Khano Smith popped up to restore our lead once again in the 72nd minute. Pacquette, with his first touch of the game, flicked a header towards the edge of the area. Smith showed great pace to run onto the ball and tap it past the keeper. I hadn't expected him to do well at all, and there he was marching towards a man of the match performance.

Mofokeng had to come off injured with 12 minutes to play. I had a feeling that'd be the last we saw of him. Meanwhile, Smith blew two golden opportunities to complete his hat-trick—firing over the bar after doing all the hard work. Then the lad went down with what appeared to be a serious injury during stoppage time. Tough break.

More drama ensued as North Ferriby won a 96th-minute penalty. Fatih Akyel apparently fouled in the box, but it looked like a dive from where I was sitting. Brown converted the chance, so the match ended three goals apiece after regulation time.

I had scheduled extra time and penalties in the event of scores being level, so that wasn't the final score. North Ferriby took the lead for the first time in the 100th minute, converting a corner thanks to some lax marking in the six-yard box.

We piled on the pressure, desperately seeking an equaliser. But it just wouldn't come. Shots were blocked or just wide, or saved—sometimes all of the above. And even as we got in behind the defence, nobody managed to bundle the ball over the line. There could have been a dramatic 121st-minute equaliser, in the dying seconds of the game, but luck smiled on North Ferriby this time.

Great viewing all round. 4-3 the final score in favour of the visitors. But I got a great look at my Reserve players and the nine men on trial.

As it turns out, of the three trialists who went off injured, only Miro will be out for any period of time. The physio put the figure at five-to-six weeks, so his trial is effectively over.

Closing out today's news, the report came back on young central midfielder Michael Woods. I was right; he's better than our existing crop. I asked for a second opinion from one of the scouts. If they agree with Woodhouse, I'll offer a contract—no trial for this lad.