The first half was quite enjoyable and was an even contest for the first half an hour or so but once we got the first goal it was all one-way traffic and it turned into a passing exercise in the second half.
First half team: Gillespie, T Miller, Ellis, Brisley, Grainger, Lambe, Kennedy, Jones, Adams, Devitt, S Miller
They only had one chance of note in the whole game when their forward went clean through. He dragged it wide and Gillespie had very little to do other than make routine catches. Our defence wasn't challenged at all and it was a very easy night for them in truth. Grainger and Adams seem to be linking up well down the left and that area of the pitch was our main source of danger in the first half. Adams looked excellent, constantly looking for the ball, taking on his man, crossing and tracking back when out of possession. He stood out a mile and their fans commented on what a good player he looks. Kennedy bombed forward and got on the end of a couple of crosses, one of which he converted for the first goal. Jones seemed to be sitting a bit deeper and spread the play well to Adams and Lambe on the wings. Lambe was a threat throughout the first 45 and looks to have added some much needed flair to that area of the pitch. He took his goal superbly well and his energy posed constant problems for them. The referee didn't have a great game and the penalty award seemed to be harsh, although we were well on top at that point and a goal had been coming for a while. I can't say I noticed Devitt too much, although the grass was very long and we struggled to get the ball down to play into him during certain phases of play. Miller looked lively but I'm not sure he's suited to being a lone striker. He didn't win any balls in the air and would benefit from having somebody else alongside him.
Second half team: McLouglhin, T Miller, Raynes, Atkinson, Brough, Joyce, Penn, McKee, Wyke, Ibehre, Joachim
As mentioned, the second half was a bit of a damp squib and Warrington offered very little. Wyke was probably the pick of the bunch and looks to have bulked up again over the summer. He never stopped running and looks to be quick and sharp, which is promising as he's not played much yet this pre-season. He took his goal very well and looks to be a much better all-round player than the one we signed in 2015. Obviously the real test will be against better opposition but on this showing, I'd imagine he'll be close to the front of the queue when the Portsmouth game comes around. Joachim tried hard and linked up play well but I'm not convinced he's any better than what we have. He had a couple of chances again and seems guilty of making some poor decisions in key areas. By no means a bad performance but not an outstanding one either. Ibehre had a great chance to make it 4-0 but the ball got caught up in the grass and it ended up being a tame effort. He looked sharp and constantly brought others into play but was outshone by Wyke. McKee looked very steady in midfield and has a turn of pace which could be a valuable asset when the season gets underway. Brough tried hard down the left but was guilty of a couple of poor deliveries and looks a long way from the starting 11 in truth. Penn looked slightly sloppy in possession at times but the game was over by half-time and the players perhaps become a bit relaxed in the latter stages. I was disappointed by Warrington but this was their first game of pre-season and was always going to be a tough one to start with. A good workout for the players but never really a contest, other than in the opening exchanges,
Man of the Match: Nicky Adams
If the season were to start tomorrow, on the basis of this showing I'd go for: Gillespie, Miller, Ellis, Brisley, Grainger, Lambe, McKee, Jones, Adams, Wyke, Miller
