Jon Mansfield's match report: At last some real football to report on. The pre-season campaign got off to a flying start this evening as an almost full strength squad impressed at Milton Road in front of a crowd of about 400. The team that started the match was pretty much full strength, with the only regulars absent being Paul Wanless, Ben Chenery and the AWOL Billy Beall (Surprise Surprise). United opened the scoring very early on when the very busy and impressive Alex Russell, put in an excellent cross from the right wing which drew the city keeper and allowed Big Trev to steer the ball into the net. Russell the provider than become Russell the scorer as he was fed the ball 10 yards out dropped his shoulder made some space and slotted home to make it 2 -0. Then two goals from Martin Butler both shots from approx 10 yards made it 4 -0 at half time, the first a defensive blunder allowed Butler a shot when the ball should have been cleared, the second a good through ball from who else but Alex Russell which Butler ran on to and slotted home. The second half saw almost a completley different United side, Shaggy on as a centreback, Mark McCammon and Tom Youngs up front, plus various other players who I am struggling to put names to. The changes at half time allowed City a lot more of the ball and united failed to dominate, despite that it was the U's who scored first, and good run from an unknown player (Jamie Scales - ed) who ran from the left back position across the edge of the box, the shot blocked by the city defender, but only to be sent looping high over the City keeper and into the net 5-0. City finally got a one back when Mark Taylor (I think) ran onto a through ball and slotted past United trialist keeper David Wells. But Tom Youngs made it six for united as he picked the ball up on the edge of the city box, created enough room to shoot, waited, created even more room to shoot and slotted the ball in from about 10 yards. In summary and excellent first half performance, Alex Russell really does look good, his movement is excellent, has great vision, great touch and a sort of Scott McGleish type self belief/arrogance and we should do every thing we can to sign him. Neil Mustoe was o.k but didn't really stand out, Butler played well as ever, Kyd didn't really look sharp. Trialist goalkeeper David Wells played o.k , looked good at taking crosses unusual for a U's keeper, but he wasn't really called upon in this game. United First Half Scott Barratt 6, Guy Odi? 7 (Larry McAvoy - ed), Marc Joseph 7, Andy Duncan 7, Jamie Campbell 6, Ian Ashbee 7, Alex Russell 9 *MoH*, Neil Mustoe 6, Michael Kyd 5, Martin Butler 8, Trevor Benjamin 8 United Second Half Shaggy 6, Tom Youngs 7, Mark McCammon 6, Various others 6 Sorry for the sketchy detail crap PA system, lot's of might be so and so etc etc.

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