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 Saturday 9th July 2005, Pre Season Friendly, New Bucks Head, Kick-Off 12:00pm
AFC Telford United: Taylor, Courtney, Howarth (Price HT), Cudworth, Andrewartha (Griffin HT), Jordan (Alexander HT), Tolley, Parrish (McNally HT), J Davies (Barnett 61), Perry, A Carter (Charie HT, Ryan 53, A Carter 79) Albion: Kuszczak, Watson, Gaardsoe, Clement, Albrechtsen, Smikle (McQuilken 75), Wallwork, Chaplow, D Carter (Pringle 88), Campbell, Elvins (Nicholson 75). Subs not used: Bateman (gk), Baker, Darg, Manchester, McDonald, McGovern
Referee: Ray Olivier (West Midlands)
Assistant Referees: Richard Parker, Derek Plant
Half-Time:
AFC Telford United 0-3 Albion
Attendance: 2,038 Conditions: Clear blue
skies, hot
MATCH REPORT
BY: Mark Thomas After what seemed one of the shortest close seasons of recent times Albion made their return to action in the pleasant surroundings of the New Bucks Head, Telford. To the irritation of quite a few fans the club once again chose to split the squad in two, half playing at Telford and the rest kicking off three hours later at Cheltenham. Myself, along with a fair number of other fans decided on the cheaper and somewhat easier journey to Shropshire. Although I was aware the ground had undergone major redevelopment work it far surpassed what I was expecting. The New Bucks Head is a very impressive stadium, certainly deserving of a higher standard of football than it presently hosts. Although there was no Gera, Greening, Kirkland or Earnshaw Albion still put out a strong side, new signings Steve Watson and Darren Carter were both on show. It was Watson that stood out for me, playing at right-back he defended well and used the ball wisely rarely wasting a pass. Carter on the other hand looked distinctly average, giving possession away a number of times and rarely looking as though he would get into the game. The same could not be said of Richard Chaplow and Junior Smikle. Chaplow simply ran the game first half and opened the scoring after 14 minutes with an excellently taken goal. Smikle, on his debut, with his pace and skill was threatening throughout although at times perhaps did hold onto the ball for too long. Rob Elvins, another debutant grabbed the second goal whilst Carter was credited with the third although all fans in attendance clearly saw that it was in actual fact an own goal. The second half had a more sedate feel about it, probably due to the scorching hot weather. After Kevin Campbell had scored the fourth goal following good work by Smikle Albion simply cruised through the game. It wasn’t until the arrival of two more debutants, Stuart Nicholson and James McQuilken that Albion once again moved up a gear. Sixteen year-old McQuilken was particularly impressive, first he won the penalty which Nicholson converted and then he helped set up the same player for the sixth and final goal. Despite his diminutive size McQuilken certainly looks one to keep an eye out for. All in all it was an enjoyable day out, great weather, cheap admission and a 6-0 victory. MAN OF THE MATCH: Steve Watson
PLAYER RATINGS OUT OF TEN
Shropshire Star: AFC Telford
United produced a spirited performance but had no answer to the superior
technique of Premiership visitors
West Brom
who ran out 6-0 winners in this afternoon's friendly at the New Bucks
Head. The Baggies
featured new signings Steve Watson and Darren Carter as well as first
teamers Neil Clement, Thomas Gaardsoe and Kevin Campbell
BBC Sport:
West Brom
opened their pre-season programme with a 6-0 win over Unibond Premier club
AFC Telford United.
Darren Carter,
on his debut, Richard Chaplow and Rob Elvins all scored their first senior
goals. Kevin Campbell added a fourth after the break before substitute
Stuart Nicholson scored two - one a penalty - late on to completed the
rout.
telfordutd.co.uk baggies.com
Darren Carter: "It was just good to get a run out and I feel good. I've only been training for four days and it was nice to play so soon. It's nice to score as it is always good for your confidence but it's all about getting prepared and sharp for the season and I felt I got up and down okay." "Richard Chaplow did well today and also scored a goal but the gaffer said before the game it was all about getting our fitness levels up. The lads were great today and the spirit and attitude amongst the lads is fantastic. Everyone is prepared to get their heads down and I haven't heard anyone moaning. We're all focused and if we keep that going I don't think we'll have many problems." Source: wba.co.uk
Bernard McNally:
"It was our
first game after just 2 training sessions and it brings us back down to
earth. They showed why they're 6 divisions above us and it gives our
players something to aspire to. It'll be the same tomorrow night against
Wolves. We looked a bit tentative at times and we knew that if we just
kicked the ball forward and gave away possession, we wouldn't get it back
off them. We'll need to try to get hold of the ball and pass it around."
Source: telfordutd.co.uk
Darren Carter, Rob Elvins, James McQuilken, Stuart Nicholson, Ben Pringle, Junior Smikle and Steve Watson all make their Albion first team debuts. Carter, Chaplow, Elvins and Nicholson all score their first Albion goals. McQuilken, at the age of 16 years and 181 days becomes one of Albion's youngest ever first team players.
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