Day 140

We’re favourites for tomorrow’s home game against Forest Green. We should win easily, but we need to be on guard for any surprises. There’s a minor uncertainty over Barnes-Homer’s fitness; he’s pulled up today still looking tired. But I think he’ll be okay.

The Reserves faced off against Tamworth Reserves in a friendly today.

It was a quiet game for the first 25 minutes, then Watson towered above everyone to power a header home from a corner.

With a bit of momentum behind them, my boys carved out a few more chances before half time. But the two sides went into the break with one goal between them.

A calamitous bit of goalkeeping in the 54th minute nearly handed Tamworth Reserves an equaliser. Only a quick reaction from Watson saved Adamson’s blushes, as the defender swept the ball clear.

Lloyd-McGoldrick doubled the lead in the 58th minute with a great bit of skill. The forward ran past three defenders, showing a remarkable change of pace, and slid his shot beneath the keeper.

Casagolda made the third with a fine flick-on header in the 73rd minute. Lloyd-McGoldrick raced onto the ball and looked certain to score, only to be tackled at the last moment by Tamworth Reserves defender Dean Turner. Turner and the rest of his team watched on in despair as the ball rolled over the line for an own goal.

Lloyd-McGoldrick was brilliant in his 45 minutes on the pitch. Casagolda, on the other hand, struggled to make an impact beyond that one moment in the 73rd minute. He’ll have to do a lot better next time if he wants to get me seriously thinking about a contract offer.