More minutes under the belts of Warnock’s players
- Tavistock AFC 0-0 Huddersfield Town
- More important minutes under the belts of the players
- Game finishes level thanks to Tavistock’s rearguard
Neil Warnock’s players got more important minutes under their belts in their second pre-season friendly at Devonian side Tavistock AFC on Wednesday evening.
19 players got more match fitness ahead of the new season in a game that finished all square, thanks largely to some stout defending and an excellent goalkeeping performance from the home custodian.
Town should have won the game on the night, with several chances of note as they dominated possession. Neither Lee Nicholls nor Nick Bilokapic were called upon to make a save in the light rain on the night.
Rarmani Edmonds-Green, playing in holding midfield once again, went inches away with an eighth minute strike that flew inches wide of the post. After that the home ‘keeper did brilliantly to deny Josh Koroma and David Kasumu in quick succession, getting hands to the ball twice as the Town men tried to dribble past him.
Koroma was the big attacking threat from the left, and the ‘keeper was down smartly midway through the half to deny the winger’s effort from finding the bottom corner.
Tyreece Simpson should have scored just three minutes into the half when he volleyed Sorba Thomas’ excellent cross over the bar, and then Sorba went close twice himself – forcing the goalie to tip his shot around the cost before diverting Koroma’s clipped ball over the top wide.
The goalkeeper’s best save of the night prevented Jack Rudoni’s shot from opening the scoring; he got down very well to his left to push the former Wimbledon man’s shot away.
Another impressive cameo from Pat Jones created two final chances on the night. Having utilised his lightning pace to skin the full back his first cross was headed over by Kian Harratt, and then Simpson should have headed home from the overlapping Jaheim Headley’s cross – who combined with Jones - before Ben Jackson blazed the rebound over.
It’s back to the hard work on the training pitch for the squad over the next two days before a final game on tour at Liskeard Athletic on Saturday, which kicks off at 1pm.
Town’s first-half team (4-3-3)
Lee Nicholls; Brodie Spencer, Michal Helik, Matty Pearson, Josh Ruffels; David Kasumu, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jack Rudoni; Sorba Thomas, Kyle Hudlin, Josh Koroma
Town’s second-half team (4-4-2)
Nicholas Bilokapic; Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Loick Ayina, 69’), Michael Helik, Matty Pearson, Josh Ruffels (Jaheim Headley, 69’); Sorba Thomas (Ben Jackson, 69’), David Kasumu (Josh Austerfield, 83’), Jack Rudoni, Josh Koroma (Pat Jones, 69’); Tyreece Simpson, Kian Harratt
