Tommy Smith, John Joe O'Toole, John Eustace, Matt Sadler and Nathan Ellington. All names that, to varying degrees, you wouldn't have imagined would be pulling on a yellow shirt again. But they did just that down at the compact but comfortable surroundings of Meadow Park. Not that it means much in a pre-season friendly. After all, Shittu scored against Barnet last season raising faint hopes of him staying before becoming a Trotter a couple of days later. However in certain cases it warmed the heart to see whilst, in others, made one feel a little foolish to have been so critical. Even where Duke is concerned, if he's playing in the colours of your team you are going to get behind him, especially at a non league crowd where you can almost see the whites of his eyes.
In truth we actually fielded two sides, making 10 substitutions at half time, with Richard Lee being the only man to play the full 90. Goodness knows who appeared in the Tring game that was going on simultaneously featuring a Watford XI of lesser first team members and the academy. Do we really have that many players?
Whilst we are on the topic of the Watford XI games, next pre-season could we maybe arrange them on different days? It would be nice to be able to go to both Borehamwood and Tring, and similarly Hampton and Wealdstone next weekend. Is it too much to ask to arrange them to be played on a Sunday? Surely it makes more sense for the host club because they'd get a much bigger crowd.
Although the score will be recorded as 4-1 and a comfortable victory, in reality, the first half team thrashed their opponents 3-0 and could've easily scored more whilst the second half team were lucky to get away with a 1-1 draw.
The first half team featured two players I'd not been aware of before. Rob Kiernan partnered Mike Williamson at the back, whilst a kid who looked no older than maybe 13 called Michael Bryan lined up on the right side of midfield. He proved he belonged on the pitch within the first couple of minutes by scoring a stunning solo goal turning a couple of Wood defenders and putting the ball perfectly in the corner of the net. Welcome to the 'Orns kid. You look like you could be a lot of fun.
Another newbie who impressed was Danny Graham who had two chances and took them both to put us three up in the opening 15 minutes. I know its very early days but he looks like a decent replacement for whoever we lose up front before the transfer window closes.
Priskin had a good few opportunities and was very involved which was good to see. He appears to still be the player he was under Judas rather than the bumbling one under Aidy. Eustace was busy alongside Jenkins and Cowie, whilst Sadler did well down the left side.
One of the more interesting aspects, as ever, at a non league ground is the opportunity to see people close up that you wouldn't normally see. Malky and Sean already look like a very close team chatting animatedly throughout the game, and even sharing jokes with the linesman and fourth official, particularly when Priskin should have had a penalty. I don't imagine this will be the case in the blood and guts of the Championship. I sat right next to the directors box and so had a good view of Jimmy and Vince Russo. I'm still not quite sure which is which but it was good to see them engrossed in the game, one often deep in conversation with Stuart Tipperley.
The vast majority of the crowd was supporting Watford but I sat next to a couple of old timer Borehamwood season tickets holders. They were quite hilarious as they grumbled and berated their team as if it was Barcelona facing Watford rather than an side five tiers below them. One of them kept yelling out the numbers of Watford players in dangerous position which made him sound like a bingo caller, albeit without the catchphrase at the end. "Eleven, Four, Eight, EIGHT... for god's sake EIGHT!" At half time, as the second half Horns warmed up, he told his mate in a conspiratorial whisper that Man United were interested in No.18. "No, Sheff" I nearly said, but then decided it was more fun to let them watch John Joe imagining him gracing Old Trafford in the coming months. And for all I know they might know something the rest of us don't.
Borehamwood were a lot more impressive in the second half despite taking the field with 10 of the same 11. In the whole game they only made four substitutions They'd also played Palace on Thursday so they must have been knackered but didn't show it and frustrated our Second Half team. We now had an inexperienced defence apart from Lloyd who was solid and had his customary attempt on goal. He unexpectedly burst through the Wood defence when he looked far more likely to pass and just hit a shot wide resulting in a lot of "oooo's" from the crowd. One day it will happen, hopefully when more people are present.
In midfield Lewis Young still looks promising without ever quite being as eye catching as his big bro. Scott Severin not only sounds but also looks like a Death Eater from Harry Potter. He seemed to run a lot without managing to create much. JJOT has kept off the Guinness in the close season and put in a lot of effort, whilst Jon Harley was fairly quiet on the left flank other than nicking a goal at the end.
Tommy Smith was Tommy Smith and I'd like to say different but Ellington was Ellington for the most part. Frustrating and not always putting in the running that was required. He made amends right at the end though when he did all the work to set up Harley's goal.
I felt most sorry for Richard Lee. He had very very little to do all afternoon other than make some routine saves. The only time he was called into any sort of action was midway through the second half following a slight misunderstanding with Severin whose back pass seemed too short. It looked like Rich would have been better off staying put but he rushed out of the area to get the ball and chested it down. However it ran away from him and was met by the chasing Wood forward who lobbed it neatly into the net. It was tricky to tell who was more at fault but it certainly wasn't something you'd have wanted to happen if you were trying to oust Loach from the No.1 jersey.
At the end, along with about 30 others, I waited for the players to finish their warm down so we could applaud them back into the dressing room. I think there was a equal split between kids getting autographs and adults trying to see if there were any gestures indicating whether certain individuals would be staying or going. Malky got a round of applause and thanked us all as he headed into the dressing room. JJOT disappeared quickly whilst the others hung about to sign. Someone yelled "you look good in yellow, Tommy" but didn't get a reply. Top marks to Ellington and Richard Lee who hung around the longest and signed everything offered to them. Alas, no-one offered any hints of who we might see next Saturday at Hampton & Richmond, let alone when Donnie coming visiting the Vic in early August.
