3 weeks after the league season started, and 3 weeks after Towns last friendly match, Town were finally given a league game on a sweltering hot afternoon at Love Lane

On a bumpy, bone hard pitch it was evident right from kick off that Town were rusty and in terms of competitive match sharpness were woefully behind a very good looking Westhamians side that were playing their 3rd competitive game of the season. Town were immediately under pressure and didn’t help themselves by constantly surrendering possession resulting in the ball just coming back at the already vastly overworked Town defence who were coming under more and more pressure. It looked just a matter of time before Westhamians scored and the only surprise was that it took 20 minutes for them to do so, from a corner that was headed on and hooked home from close range. Another goal followed to make it 2-0 before Town created their first chance of the game but the Westhamians keeper made a fine save to deny Polley and to make matters worse the play then went straight up the other end and Westhamians scored again to make it 3-0. They then added a fourth just a couple of minutes before half time; 4-0 down at half time; effectively game over.

At half time changes were made to the personnel and the formation with Ready (injured) and Matt Macedo (tactical) being replaced by Lee Humphrey and Flighty and the back 4 changed to a back 3. The usual old clichés about winning the second half were trotted out more in hope than expectation but I have to say that although Town didn’t actually win the second half, they did draw it, and I was very pleased to see that heads didn’t drop despite the scoreline and at the very least they did gain some much needed competitive match fitness. There were positives to take from the second half: Although Westhamians added 2 more goals, Town matched them with 2 of their own through Graham Jeater, who restored to his striking role in the second half, opened his account for the season with a brace of well taken goals. Chris Neal in the town goal looked assured and made one magnificent save, and there was a welcome return for Wiggy, who replaced the injured Nicky Evans, who’s boundless energy and enthusiasm made an immediate difference.

The best Town player on the day by a country mile was new signing “Preecy” who made numerous tackles and interceptions and didn’t deserve to be on the end of such a drubbing.

El Col