Lozells Pre-Season

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 18:16:59 GMT

Shapla League formally kicks off on 23 August. Kicked off my second pre-season with Lozells Strikers this afternoon in a friendly versus another local Lozells outfit, currently plying their trade in Div. 2.

Habij has done a good job over the summer, professionalising the training set-up and strengthening the squad with a few quality additions.

A bumper turnout of 17 allowed for a roll-on, roll-off system, allowing the full squad a decent runout. Looks like Habij is planning on a back three this season with a midfield 'sitter' and wing backs. If we are disciplined it could work to good effect.

We kicked off in the scorching heat; definitely the hottest conditions I have played in since Bangladesh. I lined up at the heart of a three man defence, flanked by 'Egg' and Aktar. It was clear from the outset that we were going to dominate and sure to form, within only a few minutes we were two-nil up. We looked a bit shaky towards the end of the first period after a flurry of substitutions but reappeared in the second half to smash home another six. Individually, the opposition were good; they just lacked structure, discipline and a leader. It wasn't quite the stroll in the park the scoreline suggests, but it allowed Habij a useful opportunity to test the squad and have a look at some of the new lads. Final score: 12-1.

A much stiffer pre-season test next week v Div. 1 rivals, Sparkbrook.

Black Country Boy: Shapla League 2007-08

Lozells Pre-Season