Sounds like a good workout that’s the main thing, preseason is only a rough guide tbh but you do get to form opinions on players so I’m looking forward to Saturday now UTA
Some positives that I observed:-
Danny Roberts looks a very solid keeper
Tom Schofield looked very solid as a central defender
Lee Cropper looked sharp, and took his goal well
Ashley Stott looked fitter than when he was last with us.
Scott Lycett lead from the front.
Anthony Gardner looked full of it.
Titch was linking up well with other forwards
Danny Andrews…Danny is Danny…say no more
Overall, a very good work out for the lads, and prospects look good.
spot on c j remember this time last year we were going to win everything and we know what happened there dont we
Mold equalise late on to ensure 2v2 draw against a strong Witton Albion side
Mold Alex 2-2 Witton Albion
Exciting friendly fixture ends in a draw
Mold Alex entertained Withon Albion on Saturday in an entertaining friendly.
This was the first chance Mold supporters have had to cast their eye over some of the new signings.
Mold started well but, somewhat against the run of play, Witton Albion opened the scoring through Lee Cropper.
A corner was well cleared but the resulting through ball broke the offside trap for Cropper to score neatly much to the dismay of the Mold back four looking for a flag.
The game was played at a very fast pace with attractive football played by both sides.
Gerard Mullen, Dan Drazauskas, Jamie Henders and Haydn Cooper all went close to securing an equaliser whilst Kris Leigh was forced to make a great save from a tight angle.
On 42 minutes Mold scored an equaliser. Great work from Mike Girvan freed Jamie Henders who expertly reversed the ball to the edge of the area for Drazauskas to smash home ending a great move with a great finish.
Witton made 7 changes at half time and Mold made 8 changes at 60 minutes introducing the youngsters who have impressed in the reserves and colts last season.
The second half started the same as the first had ended with Mullen, Henders and Drazauskas going close before the raft of changes were made by Mold.
Witton went close to a second forcing Kris Leigh in to two good saves before they took the lead with Dale Davies suffering cruel luck when a header across goal hit him and rolled in to the corner.
As the game wore on Molds youngsters grew in confidence and equalised deservedly with a stunning goal on 85 mins.
Good inter play between Andreas Economides and Danny Williams freed Dan Drazauskas down the left, who cut inside and whipped a cross to the back post where Callum Lavelle volleyed home to square the game at 2-2.
Manager Sean Rogers spoke to the official website after the game:
"Thanks to Witton Albion and Scott Dundas for visiting us. They are a great club and a very talented side. I hope they secure promotion to the Evo Stik Premier Division to get back where they belong. Their management and fans are a credit to them.
Witton brought a very strong side and I knew this would be an ideal game for me to be able to assess the senior players and give the young lads an opportunity to impress against a strong opponent.
Went to this friendly on Saturday with FRIENDLY being the operative word. Mold have a a very modest ground and modest facilities but as they say they keep a welcome in the hillsides in Wales and this club and its officials were brilliant fantastic hospitality very friendly people even got invited back to the pub up the road after the match for something to eat. Absolutely brilliant I hope Mold go on and have a great season and I’ll be checking your results really hope you do ok.
As for the Albion I agree with Thatched Tavern (Jeffs assessment) and would add the following -:
I think we have a star in the making in Chris Baker. This lad looks exciting and I’m sorry he looks like Karl Thomas and even had the no 7 shirt on. He looks quick can pass a ball and won loads of stuff in the air. Mind you why should I be sorry if he looks like Karl if he plays half as good as him we are onto a winner which I think we are.
In the second half was impressed with Dean Warburton in midfield very busy got stuck in and passed the ball well believe he played for Knutsford last season so probably a Tez Murphy protege.
Lee Cropper quite a tall striker looks like he can handle himself and worked hard which can only be good for the likes of Titch and Stotty as the centre forward last season was’nt busy and did’nt work. He also took his goal well.
Brownhill and Disney also did ok for me believe the latter is the younger brother of the Disney that played for Vics and hails from Macclesfield.
Unlike Jeff I’m not sure about the Goalie as he seemed reluctant to kick long but he’s a big tall lad and I do like a big keeper and its harsh to judge based on one game.
A word for Jon Dawson so glad he’s re-signed for us and he gave his usual 100% for the half he played at Left Back. I think Jon will be an asset to us in this lower league and I really hope he develops with us as he’s a nice lad.
I also heard rumours that Mr Ogden our Recruitment guru has several other irons in the fire which is refreshing and shows we are not resting on our laurels. I must admit when Paul is around I always feel that we will progress as he is a REAL football man.
Missing from this line up was Chadwick a centre half who I’m told is a really good player but has a slight injury at the moment.So he has to come into a central defensive line up that looked a little out of sorts but again its early doors and players have to get used to each other.
I think the only thing we have to worry about is do we need to spend money on expanding the bench seat at Wicham Park? We seem to have an awful lot of backroom staff!! Seriously thats a good sign as Mr Dundas seems to have his organisation well in hand and seems to be good a delegating.
To sum up a promising first friendly obviously its early doors but it looks a start anyways and there were some real positives to move forward after last seasons disaster. Onward and Upward !!