.png)
Impressive start by Bulls
Last night's friendly with Wolves showed that the Bulls should be a force to be feared in the Conference this season.
Rob Purdie was judged to be man of the match. He looked fast and fit and his goal, provided by newcomer David Brown, must have left the Wolves defence wondering what had hit them.
Very close behind Purdie in the man of the match stakes must have been Michael Rose. He adapted well to new his role in the centre of the field. He had played in that position during the Semi-pro internationals in Wales last May and provided Turner can sort out a left back this looked an imaginative move.
David Brown, the striker brought in from Telford, had a reasonable game but was occasionally a little hesitant with his first touch. However his flick-on header which sent Purdie clear for his goal was very well done, as Brown had his back to Purdie and still managed to direct the ball straight into the attacker's path.
Of the trailists on show, full-back Gethin Jones impressed. He quickly got into the match and looked to read his game well. He looked pacy and not afraid to go into the tackle, and was able to head the ball and use both feet as well. Once of Cardiff, the defender featured just three times (all as a substitute) in 2000/01 after switching from League of Wales club Carmarthen Town, which is his home-town outfit. Aged just 21, Jones was released in May after Cardiff's promotion to Division One but was told that he would be welcomed back to Ninian Park had he not found another club. The early stages of 2002/03 were spent on-loan at Weymouth.
Other trailists included a forward known as Danny Bartram. He did not have enough time to show what he could do and hopefully will be given another chance to impress. Dean Craven came on as a left-sided player and again first impressions suggested he could do a job but again it must be hoped that he will play again.
Although not used, the reserve goalkeeper Lee Kendall has experience at various levels and most recently was Tony Pennock's understudy in the Welsh semi-professional squad that featuring in May's Four Nations Tournament. Kendall played in just one of the matches, when Wales lost 2-0 to Ireland, but was not to blame for either goal at his club ground, Haverfordwest County. Tony James missed that particular match, but Paul Parry featured. Born in Newport, Kendall has been on the books of Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Shrewsbury Town.
The other trialists were locals Kevin Gwilliam and Daniel Moon. Both had a spell on the pitch but Turner will need to look at a few more trialists before deciding who to sign.