It's supposed to start at 11.30 as there is the sponsored bike ride in the afternoon. However, after talking to Duncan today the game may kick off slightly later than planned, maybe 11.45 - 12.00.
It ended up 3-3, Alliance team took the lead (sorry can't remember who scored), then the County league team hit back with 3 goals, 2 from Steve Bell (1 a 30 yarder) and a third from Craig Bell (another great strike from 25 yards), before the Alliance team scored through Joe Blaylock (who then went on to miss a penalty, sorry JD) and finally equalise through Seppie Amato late on.
It wasn't a very good game, the Alliance team seem to approach the game as a training session and the County team seemed to look upon it as a chance to get one over on their colleagues in the Alliance team. Some of the things that went on during the game were unnecessary and from my point of view as a member of our Executive Committee very very disappointing.
In my opinion we should consider knocking these games on the head as from past experience they do not do anything for us as a Club.
That said, I know we have a strong Alliance squad as I have seen them play a few times so far this season and providing their attitude and application are right they will do well this year.
I also believe that after watching the County league team for the first time on Saturday that they too have a strong squad and I am hopeful that they will have a successful season as well.
I don't think the fixture was thought out properly. People away, Goalkeepers absent, Managers etc missing.
It isn't a good idea saying 1st team against reserves. My thoughts are we are all one squad and we could have split the game up into sectors and have first team defence playing 1st team forwards. Mix up midfield and let players show what they are capable of. Then no one thinks they have something to prove. I know Hendy wants to get his squad near to what he will be playing in the opening game but that could have happened in the last half hour.
