Testing pre-season for JPL boys

It has been a tough pre-season in terms of performances and results for Reds U18 squad, as they prepare for life in the JPL and the FA Youth Cup competition.

Their first competitive game will be a home tie versus Whickham in the latter on a date to be confirmed next month.

They have played three friendlies so far, lost them all and scored just one goal in the process.

First up was a trip to play Windscale’s Wearside League squad where they suffered a 7-1 reverse at the Falcon Complex.  The first half was competitive and the young Reds turned round 2-0 down but found the physical demands too much in the second half.  Harrison Rogers did score a consolation goal at Egremont.

They then played Gretna 2008 U20 squad at Borough Park and were involved throughout in a very good football contest only to lose to an older group of players to a very late goal at Borough Park.

It was then the mini-derby v. Carlisle United where they were trounced 7-0 by a younger age group in a one-sided encounter at Creighton.

They had trailed to a softly conceded goal after four minutes, recovered to have their best spell before half time before collapsing in the second half and shipping a further six goals.

The squad travel to play Morecambe next then face County League outfit Cockermouth in their final friendly in early August.