Egham Town 1 Metropolitan Police 5

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2015
EGHAM TOWN 1 (1) METROPOLITAN POLICE 5 (1)

A heavy defeat in the first proper pre-season friendly is not the best way to prepare for the forthcoming campaign but better now than when it counts. Egham Town boss Trevor Norris and his coaching team will be using the four remaining games to work on those areas that need improvement, and it was clear what those areas were with the Police scoring four in the second half. The first period was evenly contested, both sides keeping the ball on the deck and keen to build from the back. The visitors took the lead after about ten minutes when some inattention at the back presented an opportunity for a shot that went in off the unfortunate Yinka Salami. Eight minutes later Danny Bassett’s pass to Brendan Matthew (above) was converted skilfully into a scoring shot. Home keeper Jamie Norris saved one powerful effort with a full length dive to his right and Bassett saw a shot deflected for a corner from which Nadeem Fosu tried his luck but a Police defender hacked the ball off the line. Louis Chandler-Joseph fired over from a good position as the half came to a close.
Not clearing a corner gave the Police the chance to restore their lead early in the second period, an advantage extended after the referee failed to award a free kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Egham skipper Troy Ferguson. Met Police broke and a shot from the edge of the area evaded Norris’ dive. There was little or no marking for the final two goals, both well struck, and either side of another good block by Norris.
Egham have made some decent signings but this was the first time they have played together, and it is not surprising that it showed. With hard work on the training field and some good performances in the remaining friendlies they should be in good shape come 8 August when they start the 2015-16 season with a trip to Aylesbury.
The friendlies remaining are:

Farnborough (a) Friendly 19:30 July 21 (N.B. This has been switched from Egham Town to Farnborough.)

Carshalton Athletic (a) Friendly 15:00 July 25

Merstham (h) Friendly 19:30 July 28

Staines Town (h) Friendly 15:00 August 1

Mark