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 Saturday 9th July 2005, Pre Season Friendly, Whaddon Road, Kick-Off 3:00pm
Cheltenham Town: Higgs, Gill
(Gallinagh 77),
Taylor,
Caines, Victory (Wylde 81), Vincent (Yao 56), Finnigan (Connolly 67),
McCann (Musgrove 81), Melligan, Guinan (Spencer 56), Odejayi. Subs not
used: Brown (gk), Lewis Albion: Kirkland, Scimeca, Purse, Moore (Forsyth 84), Robinson, Greening, Davies, Johnson (Hodgkiss 45), Dyer, Horsfield, Earnshaw. Subs not used: Daniels (gk), Humphrey, Kelleher, Downing
Referee: Lee Probert (South Gloucestershire)
Half-Time:
Cheltenham Town 0-0 Albion
Attendance: 2,434 (745 Albion) Conditions: Clear blue
skies, hot
Chris Kirkland:
"I hadn't played since
December so it's going to take time but you've got to start somewhere and
it was great to get a full game under my belt. I've still got a lot of
work to do in training but hopefully I can play a few more games and get
my sharpness back.” “Pre-season's all about
getting your fitness levels up and the basics back but we're pleased with
the 2-0 win. Five or six weeks off is a long time and it takes a while to
get your touch and vision back so that's what these games are for. The
lads worked very hard and defended well and we'll look to improve with
each game.” Source: wba.co.uk
John Ward: "It was very good. From a football point of view we could and should have scored in the first few minutes with the quick free-kick and header from Steve; but in the second half they certainly stepped up the game and I think Earnshaw and Horsfield gave our back line a few problems. It's been a great education for my players and a really good day. From the reaction of supporters it seems that they enjoyed it as well. We've seen a good team and I think both sets of players know they have been in a good game." "It was a shame about the late goal and sometimes when you've got a clearance to make it's better to concentrate on technique rather than rushing it. Strangely, in the spell that Andy Gallinagh had on the pitch there were two or three times he put foot to ball and cleared it with good technique. Unfortunately the one he didn't got punished and he is a bit down about that. But he's a young kid and he will learn from it. If he can do that we'll have another little player there." "I think Bryan Robson was looking to give his players most of the game, whereas I was not looking to do that particularly. In the main I think it's important that we have the focus of August rather than trying to beat West Brom in July. At the moment it's about looking after players and there is a lot more work to do and a lot of games to play. The general fitness levels look good and I'm quite happy to throw 17-year olds in and show them what it's about against this quality of team. If they can learn and pick things up from that experience then today will prove to be as good as I think it has been." "We are unscathed player-wise, they are all fit and well, and when I look at Kayode there is no way a year ago that he would have played 90 minutes in this heat against this sort of opposition and contributed in the way he did. He is fitter and stronger and little things like that are good things for me to take into the future." "Brian Wilson trained yesterday but is quite poorly with flu symptoms today so we had him checked out by the doctor and left him out of the team. David Bird was taking his wedding vows today and the date for that was set before we arranged this game so he was given the day off for that." "I am still waiting to hear from the wide player I made the offer to yesterday and I don't expect any progress really until Monday. He has played in the Championship and that is the sort of level I'm looking at. The strikers I'm talking to have also played at that level. People ask me why I have not signed anyone and it's partly because I'm looking at the highest level I can get. There are some I've missed out on but I'm still talking to people and I will keep working at it to see if I can get something done. I would like to conclude things quickly but if it means I have to wait another two or three weeks then that is what I will have to do." Source: ctfc.com
Rob Davies, Jeff Forsyth, Jared Hodgkiss and Chris
Kirkland all make their Albion first team debuts. |
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