A very warm morning, a large pitch and 20 minutes each way were not the ideal conditions for Town to go into this first game with just 7 of their main squad available. Adam Reed and Rocco Morgan stepped up from the Under 8s to fill the subs bench, which was going to be much needed as this tough game wore on.

Town started brightly but the Oranges were first on the score sheet, as a ball found its way across the front of the Town goal to an unmarked forward to tap home. After the early goal Town started playing some nice football, and after Buckland had scored a second Matt Groves rounded off some sustained pressure to make it 2-1 midway through the first half.

Approaching half time and the Town players were starting to tire, and despite bringing on fresh legs from the bench, they couldn’t match the fitness and work rate of Buckland and Milber. A brief rest and rehydration during the interval helped Town to keep on running, but as the second half wore on the home side began to punish Town with some clinical finishing.

By the end, the game may have had a lop-sided look but that should take nothing away from Town who gave some good individual performances. Jack Tomlinson and Cameron ran their hearts out in midfield, while Joe and Harry Hingston put in some tough tackles at the back. Jack Clarkson had a promising first game in goal, while Jay Moulton had some nice long range efforts in his first game of the season. Adam and Rocco gave 100% effort playing up an age group in a tough game.

Town’s man of the match went to Matt Groves, who scored a good goal and showed plenty of commitment up front.