Micky's thoughts after the pre-season game with West Bromwich Albion
Town welcomed Premier League side West Bromwich Albion to the Greenhous Meadow for the second of their pre-season games.
Manager Micky Mellon has spoken of wanting a good test for his new look side and that is certainly what he got from Albion.
The first half saw the visitors look the more comfortable but in the second half Town gave a much better account of themselves.
In the end all the goals came in the first half with Albion getting two and Town grabbing one back in between with Scott Vernon netting.
After the game Micky Mellon spoke to the press to give his thoughts on the evenings game:”We knew we were going to tested all over the pitch and that's what happened.
“It was a fantastic work out for the lads and we've seen how they operate against players from that level.
“I'm really proud of the boys as they hung in there and continued to try to play the way we wanted them to.
“It's been a tough couple of days for them and it's important that we get their fitness in and they certainly have had to work tonight.”
All the goals came in the first half with Albion taking the lead twice, Town's goal saw striker Scott Vernon find the net for the first of hopefully many goals in a Town shirt:”It's important that strikers score goals and he will be pleased with that.
“We were probably a bit disappointed with the way that we have given away our two goals after we gave away the ball so cheaply.
“When you do that against top quality opposition they will punish you so that is a lesson learnt.”
The second half saw youngster Callum Burton make his first appearance in a Town shirt since turning pro at the end of last season. It was a big night for the England youth international and he gave a good account of himself:”He is an exceptionally good young goalkeeper and he's come in this evening and done really well and looked like he's been playing for years.
“All credit to him and he can be very pleased with the performance that he has put in this evening.”
There were a couple of players missing from tonight's squad with Aaron Wildig and Jayson Leutwiler sitting the game out. Micky was quick to confirm that the pair had slight injuries and were kept out as a precaution:”It's probably a little bit early for Aaron, as it is for Dave McAllister but there's no rush to get them in as there are a lot of training days yet to be done and a lot of games to be played.
“We won't rush anyone and we have a plan to get everybody fit and ready to go.
“Jayson Leutwiler has a slight thigh strain and could be involved on Saturday but it gave Callum the chance to come in tonight.”