Squad:

Dave B

Darren

Jason J

Jason W

Ian

Ade

Paul

Steve

Danny

Michael

Rob

 

 

This was an opportunity for Bay City’s new and developing squad to come together and get some much-needed match experience ready for our second season in the WFL over 50’s.

 

 

Ethelbert turned up meaning business with a full squad of 16 players including 2 goalkeepers, whilst Bay Cities new goalkeeper was not available for todays friendly, so we had clean sheet Dave and Newby Darren standing in between them.

 

 

With 3 X 20-minute matches agreed between the two teams, Bay City set out with clear intentions, and within 2 minutes it was Paul P putting the home side ahead with a nicely placed shot that left the keeper with no chance of making the save.

 

 

Despite the heat, Bay City remained disciplined and were soon two up with Michael putting away a rebounded shot.

 

 

By now it was all Bay City who were coming together well as a team and after about 12 minutes Danny put the home side 3 nil up with the goal of the day with a long range shot that lobbed the defence and the keeper.

 

A quick sub by Bay City saw Steve P make his debut and literally scored with his first touch of the ball.

 

4 – 0 to Bay City and some really good signs of things to come from the home side.

 

 

The second match saw Bay City once again coming out strong despite the rising temperature. Ethelbert started to show their advantage of having a bigger squad by making more frequent subs. However, Bay City were undeterred by this and kept the visitors from scoring with Darren making some very good saves. Bay City were also treading a fine line having been given three warnings for running, so we had to be careful.

 

 

Bay City continued to dominate and create some good chances, Michael and Jason W were on hand to put Bay City two up, Michael neatly tucking the ball inside the right-hand post, and Jason firing in one of his pocket rockets.

 

 

With five minutes to go Ethelbert were awarded a free kick, so Bay City made a sub which the ref didn’t allow to finish and let the away side continue with the free kick and score a consolation goal.

2 – 1 to Bay City.

 

 

 

The third match again saw Bay City taking control of the game despite the heat getting the better of them and losing their way a little bit.

We also saw Ethelbert subbing the whole team in one go but this had little impact on the game as Bay City were able to remain composed despite giving away the ball more than Dave had liked.

However, goals from Jason and Dave, and a penalty from Ian saw Bay City coming out three nil winners making it 3 wins out three.

 

 

All in all, it was a very productive day for Bay City which gave captain Dave some very good positives and a few areas to focus on as we look to the new season ahead.

 

 

With everyone proving their worth today, plus another five squad members unavailable, Dave is going to some headaches when it comes to team selection! It was encouraging to see seven out of eleven players getting on the score sheet!

 

 

Thanks to Chris for refereeing, also a big thank you to Mrs Chris for her VAR decision, and it was great to see Jim out again.

 

 

Next stop, Midlife Rovers in Deal.