We're looking good, says satisfied Vickers boss Foley

“The Welling game was a good game I felt, considering it was so early in our preseason schedule,” Foley told www.vcd-athletic.co.uk.  

“I didn't think there was that much between the two sides in the first half and they are a decent outfit so it was very encouraging to see how far we have come in just a couple of years.

“We gave James Taylor and Mark Hammond their first starts in the first half team and they both did enough to suggest that they will be fine additions to the side.

“The second half was a little disjointed with Uche (Ibemere) having to go off injured and with no roll-on roll-off subs allowed but the 10 men still did well and that is always a good exercise to go through, even if the lads may disagree!”

In fact the Vickers could and maybe should have been two or three nil up even before Leroy Huggins headed a trademark goal past Wings keeper Charlie Mitten.

In the opening 20 minutes both Nick Hegley and Anthony Hogg had good chances to put their headers away following two pinpoint crosses from Hammond.

Hegley was involved in the best chance of the half when he found himself clean through on goal with only Mitten to beat but his shot was dragged wide of the upright.

With just over 30 minutes gone, Huggins broke the deadlock from a inch perfect delivery from Hammond to send his glancing header past Mitten.

Welling replied soon after with their impressive forward Louis Fazakerley cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable drive from 25 yards past Tedder in the Vickers goal.

With the scores level at half time both sides changed personnel for the second half and following Ibemere's injury the Vickers were down to 10 men for the remaining 25 minutes of the game.

A glorious chance fell to Duckworth following a defence splitting pass from Ward but as expected Welling enjoyed the majority of possession and a well worked goal that ended with a neat finish from Finn sealed the win.

The game saw first team debuts for Taylor (Dartford), Hammond (Whyteleafe), Burgess (Tonbridge) and John Parsons in goal for the second half.

The Vickers second friendly ended in a resounding 4-0 win for the Vickers over an Angels side filled with trialists and reserves given a 'double-booking' as the first team were playing Ebbsfleet United at home on the same day.

First half goals from Kane Rice and Sam May put the hoops 2-0 up and in the second half a number of chances were created with two gilt edged chances falling to Bradshaw but the normally prolific winger missed the target.

His fellow teenage team mate Ibemere added to the tally though when he pounced on a mix up to make the score 3-0 before the best goal was saved till last as the Hoops spread the play from one end to the other with some slick passing and Stephen Hogg powered his shot into the roof of the net for number four.

The game saw the use of three sets of siblings with Chris Tedder making his debut for the club alongside brother James and fellow siblings Anthony/Stephen Hogg and Luke/Sam May.

Foley was reasonably satisfied with the team's display.

He said: “It was another decent run-out although we would have preferred to play their first team but it is understandable to take the game against Ebbsfleet for the income that will generate so I don't blame them for that!

“Had we known earlier though, we may have been able to rearrange the game to get say Maidstone or Ramsgate down but never-mind, it was a worthwhile exercise and gave us a chance to look at a few things.

“We have picked up where we left off last year in terms of our defensive displays and with the added options we have up front we are looking more dangerous than ever.

“At the moment we are looking good for the start of the season. We have signed the majority of the squad now and I hope to make the final signatures this coming week where we have three quick-fire games against Bridon, Cray Valley and Cray Wanderers.”

Article courtesy of www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic  v  Cray Wanderers
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 25^th July 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN