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6th
August
2004
Peacocks Pre-season Friendly Round Up (thanks Steve!) On July 24th Gornal kicked off their warm up games with a 3-1 win against Old Hill, in an even game with Peacocks showing a touch more flair. Last Saturday the team faced Wednesfield, on a very hot day. The opposition (with a squad of about thirty!) introduced endless pairs of fresh legs to finish the stronger and snatch a 4-3 victory. On Tuesday, in the first home friendly, Gornal played West Midland Regional Div. 2 side, Dudley United. Ashley Poutney, the centre half from last season, has returned and on the night produced a very assured performance at the heart of the defence. It is hard to believe that this lad is still only 19. Dave Bate, only 22 himself, capped another solid midfield display with two goals. In between those goals, the third survivor from last season's first team, Matt Edwards, still (I am reliably informed) aged only 17, first shook the upright with a powerful volley then, later on, slotted home a cross that resulted from yet another fast, attacking move. The 3-0 scoreline did not do justice to the gulf in class between the teams. The Gornal youngsters produced some excellent, flowing football and totally dominated from start to finish. The confidence seems sky high on the back of the great success achieved by all these players last season (the former youth team players won their championship at Midland level. One major worry is the goalkeeping position. The lad who - I gather - is just helping them out at the moment is very small and at Old Hill an outfield player pulled on the number 1 jersey. There is talk that Trevallen, a really big keeper who played exceptionally well and was captain for the first half of last season, may sign. But even more likely is that old-boy Shaun Healy will take up the job between the sticks. It is vitally important that they get someone installed in that position before Saturday's home game where they take on established Midland Alliance outfit Bridgnorth Town. Bearing in mind that Bridgnorth Town Reserves, who finished a close second to Gornal last season, did the double over Wall and Thomas' side, it's quite a task facing this crop of young Gornal lads. www.gafc.org.uk sport@yampy.co.uk. --> |
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