4-4-2 (substitution times are estimated). Myhill; Ricketts (Lynch 75) Delaney (Matthews 5 (Thelwell 75)) Turner (Byron 80) Dawson (Collins 60); Fagan Andrews (Welsh 75) Marney (Fry 70) Green (Dyer 45); Burgess Paynter (Duffy 70).
Belle Vue is still a hole. The announcer was rubbish, ignored all of our subs. We also played 3 un-numbered trialists, they being #2 Ricketts, #8 Marney and #10 Paynter!
Delaney was injured first challenge. Myhill raced out of goal and clobbered him. There was immediate panic with players racing to try and get a doctor on. Delaney didn't move for 3 or 4 minutes, eventually left on a stretcher and left a pool of blood on the pitch. Get well soon, Damo. Disgustingly, a section of Donny fans started a slow hand clap during the treatment. Scumbags.
The first half was one of few chances at both ends. Thornton had a good chance deflected wide, Fagan curled over after a great link up on the City left and Paynter poked over after a great Burgess knock down. The second half was almost as quiet. Donny's trialist winger headed wide from close range, Burgess flashed one wide, Blayney saved low from Duffster, and Welsh failed to capitalise on several good set piece deliveries. Donny might have had 8 men on another day. In the first half Fagan backed into McDaid and when he moved away, McDaid ran at him and kicked him off the ball. In the second half, Welsh and Dyer were victims of horrible late tackles.
It was pleasing to see Burgess get 90 minutes under his belt. He played well too. He won everything in the air and linked play well. He was slow on a couple of occasions and played some stray passes, but overall, very pleasing. Paynter did OK when dropping deep but didn't play well enough off Burgess. Andrews had a good game, usual stuff, good long passing and broke up some play. Quite slow to make decisions at times though.
Defence was pleasing, considering the number of changes, forced and unforced. It was a great test against the two trialist forwards, the big, strong McCammon and the small, quick and skillful Asamoah. Turner was immense against both. Ricketts did well and looked assured, he played right back for a minute, centre back for an hour and then left back for 10-15 minutes. He made one great run down the wing, cut back and hit a low shot, very encouraging. Boaz was unsure when coming to kick, but caught very well from set pieces.
Matthews was very assured in defence and played a couple of great link ups with the livewire Fagan. Marney showed flashes of skill and awareness, but couldn't get involved enough. A good work out for him and a decent start.
Good test, showed lots of character and defended comfortably. Going forward showed flashes of Parky's influence, with some quick breaks and flowing football. The majority was more Taylor style, quick balls towards Burgess and attempting to get people around him. A good effort, but not a great football match. Neither 'keeper made a difficult save.