Not long back - standard fare for the pre-season opener, very warm welcome as usual from Kendal who to their credit tried to play football rather than just boot it long all the time.
FIRST-HALF
Nizic (Trialist)
Atkinson - Raynes - Groves - Grainger
Lambe - Kennedy - Jones - Adams
Miller - Ibehre
We dominated pretty much all the first-half - keeper looked okay until we got caught out at the back and he took out the attacker to concede the penalty for their goal. Tough one to judge on - wouldn't be that disappointed if we let him go but at the same time, maybe worth a look in a more competitive game.
In defence, Atkinson played with a lot of confidence at right-back and had plenty of freedom to bomb forward. Grainger was his usual self - decent crosses into the box, one superb free-kick which came back off the bar. Raynes was solid enough at centre-back and I was imrpessed with Groves - calm on the ball, some decent passes and not afraid to put his foot in. May have made a mistake for the penalty (missed the build-up so not sure) but he's a 17-year-old so he's bound to make a few.
In midfield, Adams was excellent. Very lively, quality on the ball and a bit of pace too. Played on the left but popped up all over the pitch, making some great runs. I think we already knew this, but we've got a real quality player there. Lambe was hit and miss (probably more miss) - certainly worked hard to win the ball but then kept hold of it a bit too long on occasions. Seemed tired towards the end of the half. Some encouraging signs though. Kennedy was solid enough though not overly impressive in possession. Mike Jones looks a good signing - another lively player, always wanting the ball, coming deep to take it off the defence on occasion and not afraid to shoot (though the quality was varied). If I was Kennedy, I'd be worried about my place on that showing.
Up top, Jabo cruised through it and never looked flustered - took his goal well. Shaun Miller looks good, nippy over the first few yards and has an excellent first touch. Finishing was a bit rusty but hopefully that will come with fitness. He shows good link-up with Jabo, Adams and Jones at times.
SECOND-HALF
Second Trialist Keeper (didn't get the name)
Ellis - Raynes (subbed for Trialist called Junior) - Atkinson (subbed for Cameron Salkeld)
Baillie (Trialist) - Penn - Joyce - Brough
McKee
Devitt - Fletcher (Trialist)
Second-half we unsurprisingly dominated with the extra fitness of the fresh player and full-time training. As cufcmike mentioned, Kendal's keeper (from their U18s) had a great half and made some good saves.
Can't really comment too much on the other trialist keeper as he had very little to do. If we're not convinced by Nizic, have a look at him at Reds on Sat?
In defence, we went to three at the back and Ellis slotted in fairly seemlessly, though some of his distribution from the back was a bit sloppy. His goal was a tap in after the ball was played across goal from a corner by the unnamed outfield trialist.
Shaun Baillie played right wing-back at the start and looks a good prospect - decent dribbler, comfortable on the ball and caused a threat. After Atkinson went off, he moved over to the left-sided centre-back and looked alright there too (though didn't have much to do in that position). If McQueen is, as seems likely, not coming back, he may be worth a go.
Brough did a decent enough job at left wing-back, his crossing was hit and miss though but he took his goal very well with a far post header - far too often last season he didn't take chances like that so he needs to improve that part of his game.
In centre-mid, I was very impressed with Penn - seemed in total control and like Jones, was happy to demand the ball. Suspect he's the kind of player who will shine if we're doing well but maybe not the best if we're struggling. Was alongside Joyce who put in a typical solid performance.
McKee played a bit further forward than Joyce and Penn and to be honest, at first I wasn't that impressed - gave the ball away a few times cheaply. But he grew into the game and by the end was heavily involved with some good passing.
Devitt is, like Adams, clearly going to be a class act for us. I'm looking forward to seeing the pair of them in action together - he's got plenty of pace and looks so comfortable on the ball. He played pretty much alongside the main striker and didn't look out of place.
The striker was called "Wes" by his team-mates and a quick Google at the game of the only two Wes' I could think of who were forwards in English football revealed it was Wes Fletcher. His goal record doesn't look that impressive but I was quite impressed with his performance - he's got plenty of pace and his hold-up and link play was good. Scuffed it a bit for his goal but bar that, he's definitely worth a longer look.
Of the subs, Cameron Salkeld looks a good prospect - not sure of right wing-back or right-back is his normal position but he did well. The other youth lad was I think Max Brown, who looks a lot younger than Groves and Salkeld and struggled to make the same impact.
The final trialist was a black lad called Junior - had a few lively moments and nearly scored a belter with a shot from the edge of the area. Maybe worth another look but wouldn't be gutted to see him go either.
Pretty much sums it up - hard game to judge players on and I think the Reds game will be a better indicator.
