The Bulls included Frankie Artus, Chris Sharp, Michael
Rankine and experienced trialist Chris Barker the former Southend defender in a
mix with plenty of good quality youth players and went on to win by four goals
at West Midland League club Wellington yesterday evening.
The impressive Rankine
was quickly into the action heading a cross from the right just wide of the
back post. Another cross, this time
from the left, saw a Rankine header saved by the home keeper before Chris Sharp
pulled a shot wide of the target from just inside the box.
The hosts just failed
to convert a decent opportunity from their left side when Bulls’ stopper, Owen
Evans, was quickly out to collect and Artus had to be alert to cover a break from
midfield as an interesting game developed.
The Bulls were having the bulk of
possession and Jarod Bowen fired just wide of the upright before Chris Sharp
dragged another effort wide of the mark.
As half time approached, Michael
Rankine broke the deadlock with a cracking drive from 20 yards before setting
up the second with a low driven cross for Sharp to finish from close range.
HT
Wellington 0 Bulls 2
Five minutes into the second period, another Rankine
thunderbolt scorched past the far post and he was inches away from converting a
cross from the left as The Bulls continued to dominate.
A determined run down
the right produced a chance for the Bulls’ number 7 and when the home keeper
could only parry his angled shot, Jon Brown was on hand to force over the line
from 6 yards.
Late in the game, a
sublime Artus corner was volleyed in at the back post by Chris Barker to
complete the scoring.
FT Wellington 0 Bulls 4
The game was watched by around 300
including a number of the off-duty senior professionals and will have given
Martin Foyle and his backroom staff more evidence to evaluate as they prepare
for the coming season.
Next up is Torquay United at The Street on Saturday. KO for this one is 1.00pm.