Our penultimate preseason friendly saw a complete change in the weather after the hot, dry spell turned to the heaviest of rainfalls. Our visitors Maltby Main are just one league below us and arrived on the back of a draw last weekend with Sheffield from the NCEL Premier
It could not have been a better start when on just three minutes Kieran Greenway thumped a twenty-five yarder into the back of the net.1 – 0.
Spencer Harris put an inch perfect into the area on 14 minutes, but Maltby cleared whilst Greenway’s free kick looked to be on its way, but keeper Kyran Lofthouse made an excellent save. Maltby’s first positive attack came at the mid-point of the half, but a chance went begging.
The second goal for Albion came just before the half hour mark, again featuring Greenway who pulled the ball across the box for Charlie Thompson to blast into the net at the second attempt. 2 – 0.
Pilkington’s effort on 36 minutes caused Lofthouse to drop the ball giving a Trialist an easy tap in. 3 - 0.
Maltby exerted some pressure at the start of the second half, but Mason Wilson cleared the danger. At the other end Greenway was denied by the substitute keeper, Thompson shot over the bar from close range, whilst Guilifoyle’s effort, following a brilliant run down the left from Charlesworth, was blocked.
On the hour, Greenway doubled his tally at the second attempt (4 – 0) whilst within minutes a trialist headed home the fifth goal. 5 – 0.
Alex Clarke got on the end of Abson’s cross but to no avail and then headed over from a corner with ten minutes to go.
Ryan Qualter was delighted that after all the preparation from the earlier games, the team had put in a classic performance;
“Our boys deserve the credit tonight. The front four were outstanding"
On Saturday Yarm and Eaglescliffe from the Northern League provide the final test before the season commences on the 26th July when Beverley Town visit the Young Guns Stadium.
Starting XI: Hughes, Pilkington, Charlesworth, Shepherd, Heaton, Wilson, Greenway, Mulhearn, Trialist, Harris, Thompson
Report from John Clothier Photos Courtesy of Keith Handley