FK Panevezys 3-0 HJK Helsinki ( att : 1,100 ) – 2024/25 Champions League First Qualifying Round

July 9, 2024

The first match to kick-off in the 2024/25 season of European competitions saw a meeting between the champions of Lithuania and Finland, both of whom had featured before in these diaries. Unlike many sides who are still in their pre-seasons when they play their first match of their European campaign, both Lithuania and Finland have summer leagues, so both sides were mid-way through their 2024 season and so should have been “match-fit”.

FK Panevezys

Located 135km north of the capital Vilnius, Panevezys went through their entire 36 game 2023 A-Lyga league season with just one defeat, a 1-2 reverse at Zalgiris in round 15 at the end of May, and won the title by 12 points. Unlike the season before where they led the table after 12 games but faded to finish third, this time they were able to maintain their form throughout the year, going unbeaten at home with just 5 draws from 18 games.

Ex-Sputnik Nicaraguan striker Ariagner Smith ( 15 caps ) was their top scorer for the second year running with 14 goals whilst ex-Ajax and Real Sociedad defender Jeffrey Sarpong scored 6 times and topped the league table for assists with 14. Defender Pijus Sirvys ( 16 caps ) found the net 7 times. Keeper Vytautas Cerniauskas ( 6 caps ) was ever present until missing the final game of the season, Colombian midfielder Sebastian Rincon, son of Freddy Rincon, contributed 6 goals, the same number as ex-Gillingham, Hampton and Richmond, and Kingstonian Congolese striker Noel Mbo.

In addition to Sirvys and Cerniauskas, defenders Linas Klimavicius ( 43 caps ) and Markas Beneta ( 23 caps ) and midfielder Matijus Remeikis ( 3 caps ) were Lithuanian Internationals whilst veteran centre-back Kaspars Dubra had won 62 caps for Latvia.

Panevezys qualified for the Europa Conference in the previous three years, but won only one match, in Moldova against Milsami Orhei last year ( 1-0 ) which was enough to progress to a tie with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, which was lost 1-2 on aggregate after failing to overturn a 0-1 defeat in the first leg in Israel.

FK Panevezys 2024 Season

The defence of their first title so far had been dreadful, and they went into today’s game in joint bottom position in the 2024 A-Lyga with a 5-6-10 record, being ahead of FK Suduva only on goal difference.

They begin the season with just one win in their opening 10 matches but had improved a little with three wins in their 7 most recent games, although the last two outings had both been lost 0-1 at home, to Hegelmann and Banga.

A number of the title winning squad left the club during the winter. Remeikis was sold to Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv for a reported €200K, Sirvys joined Slovenian side NK Maribor and Rincon moved to Iraqi side Naft Al-Wasset. Other departures included Senegalese centre-back Seydina Keita to Al-Tadamon in Kuwait and Ukrainian midfielder Artem Shchedry to fellow A-Lyga side Hegelmann.

Panevezys looked to have made some decent signings to maintain the strength of their squad though, with Argentinian play-maker Nicolas Gorobsov joining from Zalgiris, former German Under 21 centre-back Malcolm Cacutulua signed from Magdeburg, Slovak left-back Robert Mazan ( 11 caps ) signed from Bulgarian side Hebar, and German striker Frederico Palacios Martinez arrived from Fortuna Koln.

Other signings included ex-Milsami-Orhei Moldovian keeper Emil Timbur ( 1 cap ), ex-Sandefjord and Wolfsburger AC Senegalese winger Cheikhou Dieng and Norwegian striker Sivert Gussias, who was with Faroese side KI last year and had also played for Sandefjord.

However, Panevezys have been hampered by long-term injuries to Smith, Sarpong and Cerniauskas, although Cerniauskas had recovered to be on the bench tonight. Mbo and Gorobsov were the joint top scorers with just three goals each.

HJK Helsinki

Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi ( HJK ) are known as Klubi ( The Club ) and play at the 10,770 capacity Bolt Arena. This is adjacent to the National Olympic Stadium, and has an artificial grass surface. The stadium is shared with HIFK, and is named after a local construction company rather than the record-breaking Jamaican sprinter.

HJK are perennial participants in European competition and last season reached the group stages of the Europa Conference where they twice drew with Aberdeen but lost twice to Eintracht Frankfurt and PAOK. They reached the Group stages of the Europa League in 2014/15 where they recorded 2-1 home victories over both Torino and FC Copenhagen. In 2021/22 they reached the group stages of the Europa Conference League and made the Europa League group stages in 2022/23

HJK were covered by these diaries last July when they surprising slumped to a 0-1 home defeat to struggling Lahti.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2023/07/hjk-helsinki-0-1-fc-lahti-att-4056-2023.html 

That loss left HJK three points behind KuPS and having played one game more. However, HJK recovered to lead the table by one point at the end of the regular season and they remained on top at the end of the Championship play-off Rounds on goal difference despite a final day loss to KuPS. This was their 33rd title, their fourth in succession and their sixth in seven years.

Ex-Brighton and Hove Albion U21 and AIK Stockholm Serbian striker Bojan Radulovic was the top scorer with 18 goals, which earned him a move to Huddersfield Town in January with the fee rumoured to be £1.2M, but he was unable to save the Terriers from relegation to England’s League One.

Seven of the side that started the game against Lahti were Finnish internationals. However, right-back Miro Tenho ( 4 caps ) has moved to Swedish side Djurgarden, defensive midfielder Matti Peltola ( 9 caps ) is now with US side DC United, midfielder Pyry Soiri ( 45 caps ) is now with Greek side Kallithea after leaving for a short spell at Romanian side Universitatea Craiova, defender Jukka Raitala is now with newly promoted Gnistan and striker Roope Riski ( 5 caps ) now plays for Ilves Tampere.

Midfielder Lucas Lingman ( 11 caps ), and forwards Anthony Olusanya ( 1 cap ) and Santeri Hostikka ( 7 caps ) are still with HJK.

HJK Helsinki 2024 Season

The 2024 Veikkausliiga looks even more competitive than ever, and HJK went into today’s match standing level on points with KuPS but having played a game more. The top 6 were seperated by only four points.

HJK had an 8-4-4 record, with the defeats coming at KuPS ( 1-3 ), at home to VPS ( 1-2 ), at Oulu ( 0-1 ), and 0-3 at Ilves in their most recent game. Prior to that though HJK had won four league games in a row.

HJK exited the Finnish FA Cup at the quarter final stage, losing on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Ekenas.

HJK made a couple of interesting signings prior to the start of the season such as Tottenham Under 21 defender Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and forward Luke Plange joining on loan from Crystal Palace. Defender Diogo Tomas ( 4 caps ) joined from Norweigan side Odds and Ghanian midfielder Nunoo Sarpei signed from Ingolstadt.

Last week centre-back Daniel O’Shaunessy ( 22 caps ) rejoined the club from Karlsruhe, and ex-Motherwell, Leeds, Oldham and Haka Scottish striker Lee Erwin signed from Ahed in the Lebanon. Erwin played in the final of the AFC Cup earlier in the year where Ahed lost 0-1 to Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.

Thirty-nine year-old ex-Brighton and Hove Albion and Bristol City keeper Niki Maenpaa ( 27 caps ) had been the HJK back-up keeper but was selected to start today. Other Finnish internationals in the squad today were centre-back Joona Toivio ( 78 caps ), midfielder Noah Pallas ( 3 caps, and a breed of wild cat named after him ! ) whilst winger Hassane Bande had 27 caps for Burkina Faso, and Kevor Palumets, on loan from Zulte-Waregem and previously with Paide Linnameeskond had 5 Estonian caps.

Other foreigners in their squad were Greek midfielder Georgios Kannellopoulos and Japanese winger Atomu Tanaka, who had played for Cerezo Osaka.

Plange was the top scorer in the league with 6 goals, closely followed by Topi Keskinen with 5, then Lingman on 3 goals.

Matchday Information

After having to play their previous home European ties at FK Suduva’s ground in Marijampole, Panevezys were able to play the match at their home stadium, the 6,000 capacity Aukštaitija Stadium, which has a grass pitch.

All tickets for the match were priced at €9, and Panevezys’ average home attendance this season had been 385.

The temperature at the 18.30 local time kick-off ( 16.30 UK ) was cloudy and 24 degrees.

Panevezys were in a kit of all blue, whilst HJK were in a change kit of all yellow rather than their usual blue and white stripes.

The referee and his assistants were from Switzerland.

The match was streamed live on Bet365, who made HJK favourites at the unusual odds of 19/50 with Panezezys at 11/2 and the draw was offered at 10/3. Finland were currently 34^th in the UEFA club side co-efficients, ahead of Lithuania who were 43^rd.

Between 30 to 40 HJK fans had travelled to Lithuania and were housed in a corner behind one of the goals.

Match Report

Panevezys almost created a chance in the first minute when De Vega threaded a ball through the HJK back three for Gussias to run onto but keeper Maenpaa was quickly off his line to dive on the ball.

HJK were enjoying the majority of the early possession but Bande’s optimistic 20 yard effort sailed well wide, and then after six minutes Hostikka and Keskinen combined on the right but the move came to nothing after some good defending. Two minutes later Pallas was in space on the left but his low cross was cleared by Dubra and the ball hit the referee for a drop ball to Panevezys.

With 12 minutes played a raking cross-field ball from left to right by Klimavicius enabled Veliulis to get past Pallas but Gussias on the stretch was just unable to reach his low ball across the 6 yard box. HJK went immediately down the other end but Keskinen was unable to control a long ball over the top and the ball was put out for a corner by Mazan.

The opening goal of the game arrived in the 17^th minute. Palacios-Martinez fizzed a low bouncing ball from the left, and with Ramos ball watching, Ernestas Veliulis nipped ahead of him, and the Lithuanian international ( 4 caps ) sent a left footed flick across goal from 8 yards and into the opposite far corner. An excellent finish made it 1-0 after 17 minutes.

HJK struggled for an immediate response but in the 24^th minute Keskinen’s cross was put out for a corner by Dubra. Tomas headed the corner wide from 8 yards, but the referee awarded a free-kick for a push by Bande on Klimavicius.

Panevezys were still looking a threat on the break, and after good hold-up play by Dieng, a left wing cross from Mazan evaded everyone. Then in the 31st minute Dieng’s 25 yard drive was tipped over the bar by Maenpaa. Dubra met Gorobsov’s corner with a downward header but it was straight at the keeper.

HJK had a half chance a minute later. A Panevezys defender was trying to escort the ball out of play for a goal-kick but Hostikka kept the ball in play, Bande then laid the ball back to Keskinen but his hurried shot from 10 yards under pressure was sliced wide.

The home side were still looking the more dangerous in attack, and after Veliulis’s cross was headed away, Gorobsov picked up the loose ball and sent a left-footed 20 yard effort arrowing into the bottom corner, but Maenpaa produced a fine save diving to his left to push the ball away.   

Three minutes from half-time Plange received a pass on the edge of the Panevezys area and turned, but his shot was narrowly deflected wide for a corner. It was the first contribution from the Crystal Palace man. A scramble ensued from the corner but eventually Hostikka had a shot saved by keeper Timbur and the back was hacked away to safety.

With half-time approaching Bande’s cross from the left was well caught by Timbur and the half ended shortly after. Although HJK had seen 54% of the possession, the 1-0 lead at the break for Panevezys was probably a fair scoreline.

The home side again started the second half brightly and after a moving involving Mazan and De Vega, Palacios-Martinez shot a few feet over the bar. Shortly after, Plange turned in space 25 yards out but blazed wildly about 10 yards over the bar.

In the 52st minute, Gussias made a strong from half-way and fed Dieng but the Senegalese winger was forced out wide and his cross-cum-shot was caught by Maenpaa.

The Swiss referee then discovered a yellow card in his pocket and produced it three times in under three minutes. First Kanellopoulos showed a poor first touch and when Gorobsov poked the ball away from him, the Argentinian was brought down. Bande was then about to run onto Lingman’s through ball only to be cynically stopped by Rasimavicius. Dieng then entered the referee’s note-book for a late tackle.

In between all this, HJK’s Boamah’s throw-in was so bad a rare foul throw had to be given !

Panevezys still looked the side more likely to score the second goal of the game but Dieng’s cross after being put in space on the left was poor and gathered by Maenpaa, then De Vega cross from the left towards Dieng was intercepted by an outstretched leg of an HJK defender.

HJK’s hoped suffered a huge blow when Panevezys substitute Cadjenovic found De Vega inside the HJK area and when the Brazilian turned to head towards the by-line, Kanellopoulos’s clumsy challenge made contact with the Brazilian’s knee, and he needed no invitation to crash to the floor. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Gorobsov stepped up to send the ball high into the middle of the goal as Maenpaa dived to his left. 2-0 after 65 minutes.

With HJK still smarting, a flowing move saw Veliulis put Mazan clear on the left and from his low ball Mbo darted ahead of the static Toivio to score from 6 yards. A fine finish from the ex-Kingstonian marksman against the Finns ! It was now 3-0 after 67 minutes.

In desperation HJK made four substitutions in an effort to get back into the game and they were given a lifeline in the 71^st minute when Dieng made a brain-dead challenge on Kouassivi-Benissan in the HJK half, and saw a second yellow card for the needless foul. Dieng was already walking off before the card was brandished.

However, the next half-chance was for Panevezys when Mbo latched onto a long ball out of defence but his push past the onrushing Maenpaa out of his area forced him too wide, and no team-mate was up in support to get on the end of his cross from the by-line.

HJK response was for Lingman to shot left-footed from 20 yard but his effort was straight at Timbur who made a routine catch. With a player advantage HJK were now dominating but Kouassivi-Benissan’s back-post header from Lyon-Foster’s cross went narrowly over the bar when he should have at least hit the target.

With 12 minutes remaining Keskinen burst into the home penalty area but Dubra took a knock in making the block to concede a corner. When play resumed, Erwin’s flicked header at the near post was punched away by Timbur.

Substitute Lyons-Foster was making an impression as a left wing-back and with ten minutes remaining he cut inside and tried his luck from the angle of the penalty area, only for Timbur to make an unconvincing save at his near post at the expense of a corner.

Keskinen then had a go from a similar position only to see Timbur make a dog’s-dinner save, unnecessarily acrobatic to bat away a shot that probably was an easy catch.

With the home side content to sit back and protect their three goal lead it was all HJK, but Keskinen’s low cross was bravely pushed away from the feet of Erwin by the keeper. However, that was to be last piece of goalmouth action and Panezeyvs comfortably saw out the final minutes to record a memorable victory. They will presumably hope they can carry this form into the second leg and the rest of their season.

HJK were hugely disappointing but will expect to play much better at home, and the tie isn’t over.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_3OmuMYtk

FK Panevezys : Timbur – Rasimavicius ( Luksys ), Dubra, Klimavicius, Mazan – Veliulis ( Beneta ), Palacios-Martinez ( Cadjenovic ), Gorobsov, De Vega, Dieng – Gussias ( Mbo )

HJK Helsinki : Maenpaa – Boamah ( Kouassivi-Benissan ), Toivio, Tomas – Keskinen, Kanellopoulos, Lingman ( Moller ), Pallas ( Lyons-Foster ) – Hostikka, Plange ( Erwin ), Bande ( Palumets )

 

Oxford City 9-0 Barry Town United ( att : 150 est ) – 2024/25 Pre-Season Friendly

July 6, 2024

Despite Euro 2024 continuing, the preparation for the new season started today with an interesting cross-border fixture with Barry Town United travelling from Wales to play a friendly with Oxford City. Whilst just a pre-season friendly, it was an opportunity to gauge the relative strengths of National League North against the Welsh Premier League.

Barry Town United

One of the most successful sides in the history of the Welsh pyramid, Barry Town United finished 9^th in last season’s Cymru Premier League.

Barry had historically played in the English league system, mostly in the Southern League until the creation of the League of Wales in 1992, which saw Barry play one season in exile at Worcester City. However, they decide to join the fold for 1993/94.

Between 1995/96 and 2002/03 Barry won the Welsh Premiership seven times in eight seasons until the rise of TNS, but financial problems led to relegation in 2003/04 to Welsh League Division One after entering administration. With a further relegation in 2006/07 the future looked bleak. However, thanks to several fan backed campaigns the club survived and after the 2016/17 campaign they secured their return to the Welsh Premier League.

Barry played in European competitions eleven times between 1994/95 and 2020/21 although they were eliminated at the first hurdle every time bar two occasions. In the UEFA Cup campaign in 1996/97 they overcame Latvian side Dinaburg and Hungarians Budapest Vasutas, before being eliminated by Aberdeen despite a 3-3 home draw. In 2001/02 they beat Azerbaijan side FK Shamkir 3-0 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers before facing Porto. Despite a 3-1 home win over the Portuguese giants, the damage had been done by a 0-8 reverse in Portugal.

Barry returned to European competition in 2019/20 but despite a 0-0 home draw against Cliftonville played in Cardiff, they lost 0-4 in Northern Ireland. In the Covid hit season of 2020/21 they lost a one legged tie in heavy fog 1-5 in the Faroe Islands to NSI Runavik.

One of Barry’s new signings for the new season is ex-Ipswich Welsh Under 21 international left-back/midfielder Josh Yorwerth who I saw play three times for Crawley Town between 2015 and 2018. After leaving Crawley for a reported six-figure fee to join Peterborough, he failed a random drug test and was banned for four years. He resumed his career last season at Penybont ( Bridgend ) and Merthyr Tydfil, but if he has returned to full fitness after his enforced lay-off he would prove to be an important signing for The Linnets.

Other announced signings so far were ex-Bristol Rovers and Gloucester City goal-keeper Liam Armstrong, who was at Hellenic League Corsham Town last season, ex-Kidderminster Welsh U21 centre-back Ben Margetson, who signed from Pontypridd, and experienced ex-Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, Tranmere, Cheltenham and Hereford midfielder Eliot Richards, who was with Penybont last season. Twelve players had been retained from last season and nine players released.

I have made one visit to Barry’s 3,500 capacity Jenner Park Stadium, watching their 3-0 victory over Bangor City in the 2000/01 Welsh Cup Quarter-Final. Barry went on to beat TNS in the final to win a domestic double that season. The Barry manager was ex-Welsh International and Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Luton, Chelsea and Watford midfielder Peter Nicholas ( 73 caps ). The Barry side include ex-Millwall, Watford, Antwerp, Brighton and Colchester forward Jamie Moralee, who scored one of the goals, and left-back Gary Lloyd, who was regularly called up to the Welsh National squad but never became an international from the Welsh League.

The Bangor City side included ex-Manchester United midfielder Clayton Blackmore ( 39 caps ) and Rhodri Giggs, brother of Ryan. As a sign of the times, the programme talks about some games in Wales being postponed due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth !

 

Oxford City 2024/25

After being relegated from the National League after one season at the highest level of English non-league football, Oxford City were placed in National League North due to the fewer number of “northern” teams at Step 2.

Manager Ross Jenkins had left the club to take up the vacant position at Boreham Wood, another side that had been relegated from the National League, but to National League South. In his place, 33 year-old Sam Cox had been appointed as his replacement. Cox had finished the 2023/24 season as interim coach at National League Wealdstone and successfully led them to safety from relegation. A former captain of the Guyana National Side winning 26 caps, Cox had also been an assistant manager for Guyana, but it wasn’t clear if this was going to continue with the full-time role at Oxford City.

News of signings and departures had been slow, and announcements of players re-signing had been drip fed on social media. The midfield “holy trinity” of Zac McEachran, Reece Fleet and Josh Ashby had been confirmed as signing on for another season as well strikers Josh Parker ( 37 caps for Antigua ) and Alfie Potter, winger Lewis Coyle and defender Andre Burley ( 14 caps for St Kitts and Nevis ) also committing for another year.  There had been no comment on last season’s regulars Canice Carroll, Aaron Williams-Bushell, Nya Kirby, Renny Smith, Mitchell Roberts and Tafari Moore and none of them were to feature today. Hopefully some of them were either on holiday or injured !

One significant loss was the departure of Latrell Humphrey-Ewers, who after a breakthrough season in the National League had signed for National League South Bath City. American centre-back Giles Phillips had joined National League Ebbsfleet United, reserve keeper Marcin Brzozowski had moved to Farnham Town and fringe forward Pierre Fonkeu had moved to National League South Maidstone.

Cox had used his Guyana contacts to sign keeper Kai Mckenzie-Lyle ( 13 caps ) who was last with Folkestone Invicta but had been at Liverpool as a youngster, and giant centre-back Jalen Jones ( 14 caps ) who joined from Aveley. Another new signing was left-back Chi Ezennolim, who was with Maidstone last season.

Matchday Information

As an initiative to attract supporters to the game, Oxford City announced that admission prices for this game, and two other pre-season friendly matches, was on a pay what you want basis. I gave £10 for entry to the game.

Oxford City had announced ticket prices for National League North matches had been reduced following relegation from the National League from £14 online and £17 on the gate to £13 and £15 respectively for the new season.

After a morning of heavy rain, the temperature at the 15.00 kick-off was around 15 degrees and whilst it was now dry, some further occasional showers were forecast.

Oxford City took to the field in a change kit of all red rather than their usual blue and white hoops, whilst Barry were in a kit of white shirts with black shorts and socks instead of their normal yellow and blue.

With relegation from the National League it is now allowed to have a beer in view of the pitch at Court Place Farm. The “no alcohol beyond this point” signs were still on the door from the bar, but this was ignored by many fans.

Bet365 offered odds on this friendly with Oxford City 4/6 favourites, Barry at 5/2 and the draw at 10/3. With no form to go by, I had no idea what the basis of these odds were, apart from perhaps home advantage !

A pre-match cup of tea cost £2, whilst a pint of Belhaven Pilsner and a glass of white wine at half-time came to £10. Unlike last season no real ales were on tap today, just Greene King’s Prior Life IPA.

No programme was produced for this friendly nor were there the usual team lists being handed out.  The Oxford City starting XI was announced over the tannoy but unfortunately not all of the numbers matched the numbers the players were actually wearing.

The announcer informed that City would have 10 trialists featuring during the game, and a lot of changes would be made at half-time. However, new keeper Kai Mckenzie-Lyle was between the sticks, Chi Ezennolim was at left-back, Andre Burley was at right-back, Lewis Coyle was in midfield and Josh Parker was upfront. Phil Croker was announced as number 4, but I think he was wearing the number 6 shirt.

No details were given for the Barry Town side, but they were playing in numbers 1 to 11. Around 25 to 30 Barry supporters had made the 120 mile journey, which is probably shorter than half of their league fixtures !

Match Report

Despite the international flavour to the friendly, no anthems were played prior to the kick-off !

Oxford City started strongly and with just over a minute played Burley crossed from the right wing but Parker put the ball over the bar from close range.

Shortly after, City gave the ball away playing out from the back, and the Barry number 7 Callum Huggins had a 20 yard shot deflected for a corner. The set-piece found number 9 Ollie Hulbert unmarked 8 yards out, but his downward header was perhaps a bit too downward and bounced over the bar.

With 5 minutes played Ezennolim made a strong run down the left to the Barry by-line and from his cross, Parker set-up Trialist number 10 ( who turned out to be ex-Coventry City winger Bradley Stretton ), but his shot was blocked. When the ball was reworked, a City cross from the right was met by Croker, but the ball glanced off his head for a goal-kick when he really ought to have hit the target.

In a frenetic beginning, Huggins then gave his number 8 Eliot Richards an opportunity to have a shot from 20 yards, but the effort was at the City keeper, who made an easy catch.

Ezennolim this made another eye-catching run down the left, but this time his ball to the near post was put wide by Parker. Two of the home sides’ trialists then combined with Stretton passing to number 16, whose shot was acrobatically pushed over the bar by Barry keeper Luc Rees.

In the 15^th minute, Stretton combined with Parker but his low left footed shot from the return was pushed away by the Barry keeper. A minute later Coyle made a surging run down the left-hand channel but his cross was well headed away by the Barry number 5 Josh Yorwerth.

Barry went straight down the other end and Hulbert ran free down the left, but no team-mate was in support, and his low ball across the face of the goal went begging.

In the 18^th minute, an Oxford City free-kick from the left was headed off for a corner, and when Stretton played the corner short, he took the return pass and sent a left-footed effort from just inside the angle of the penalty area curling into the far bottom corner for the opening goal. 1-0 after 19 minutes.

The visitors looked to quickly hit back and a minute later Hulbert ran onto a ball down the left-hand channel, but his shot lacked power and McKenzie-Lyle made a comfortable save.

The home side doubled their lead shortly after, Triallist number 16 was found in space on the right wing, and his attempted cross sailed over the Barry keeper, hit the far post and bounced into the net. Whether it was deliberate or not, it was 2-0 after 23 minutes.

Despite the score, the game was evenly matched, and Barry’s number 10 Keenan Patten sent an ambitious long-range effort not too far high and wide.

Croker then gave the ball away as Oxford City attempted to build from the back and when Barry attacked down the right-hand side, Huggins produced a neat finish to a low cross, with a clever flick from the 6-yard line going through the legs of the home keeper. The cheers of the Welsh fans were soon silenced as the linesman’s flag was raised for offside. From where I was sitting that seemed to be a little surprising, but Barry only had the consolation that it was a good move.

The visitors were enjoying a good spell and when Patten played a ball across The Hoops penalty area, number 4 Mike George drilled the ball across the face of the goal and just wide. Patten then played a nice ball down the left for number 11 to run onto, but his low cross was well defended for a corner.

With 34 minutes on the scoreboard clock, the home side had their next attack, and Trialist number 16 saw his shot deflect off Yorwerth and into the side netting for a corner. However, nothing came from the corner with a free-kick awarded to Barry.

Barry were still looking dangerous and after a long ball out of defence went over the head of Croker, Hulbert latched on to it, stepped inside the covering defender only to be denied by an outstanding fingertip save from McKenzie-Lyle.

In the 36^th minute, Parker saw the keeper Rees off his line but his attempted chip from around 40 yards went narrowly wide of the post.

The referee then incurred the wrath of the Barry players by awarding a free-kick for a foul when they had an obvious advantage.

The Welsh side then produced another good move as number 4 Ben Margetson found number Hulbert but his shot from 14 yards was denied by McKenzie-Lyle diving to his right to make a stunning save.

The end-to-end nature of the game continued as Trialist 16 set-up Parker, but the Antiguan shot wide from 12 yards. Back down the other end, Barry’s number 2 delivered a curling cross from the right but City Trialist number 5 made a good header to concede a corner.

The corner was cleared by the Oxford City defence and was played quickly to Josh Parker, who ran from inside his own half but was cynically tripped by Josh Yorwerth just outside the Barry area. Despite being a friendly a yellow card was still shown, and retribution was suitably delivered when Parker got up and sent the free-kick over the wall and into the top corner in the way he has frequently down since joining the Hoops. 3-0 with 42 minutes played.

The home side finished the half well and Trialist 8 found Trialist 16, who ran across the Barry penalty area for Parker to shot a foot wide of the post with the outside of his foot for the last action of the first half.

 A heavy shower landed during the half time interval, but it had mostly dissipated by the time the two sides returned for the second half. Barry made 4 changes at the restart, surprisingly taking off Huggins and Hulbert, who had looked their most impressive players in the first half and changed their goal-keeper, bringing on new signing Armstrong.

Oxford City made wholesale changes to their side but these included Josh Ashby and Zac McEachran taking to the field, along with new centre-back Jalen Jones.

Neither side initially seemed to be in control and after 54 minutes, Patten sent a long-range effort over the bar with the keeper stranded. Barry continued to make substitutions which seemed to disrupt their side, and a flowing move involving Trialists 18 and 9 ( who turned out to be ex-Wealdstone forward Corie Andrews ) led to Trialist number 7 applying a side-footed finish from 12 yards. 4-0 with 55 minutes on the clock.

Yorwerth continued to have a solid game at the back for Barry despite the score-line and need to make another good defensive header to concede a corner. Barry were still a threat on the counter and a good block by Croker was needed to deny number 14. From the corner, number 4 blazed wide.

Barry continued to make more substitutions but then conceded another goal. Andrews was found inside the Barry area, but after two tackles the rebound fell to McEachran, who calmly finished into the keeper’s right hand bottom corner. 5-0 after 67 minutes.

That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Welsh side, and other goal was added a couple of minutes later when Andrews wriggled his way through the defence to add another goal. 6-0 after 70 minutes.

At that point we decided to leave to get home in time for the England vs Switzerland Euro 2024 quarter-final. In our absence, further goals were added by Josh Ashby, Jayden Carbon ( back at Oxford City after a season long loan at Thame United ) and another for Andrews.

It might sound funny after a 0-9 defeat, but I didn’t think Barry were that bad, and they looked very dangerous at times in the first half. However, being a pre-season friendly, they appeared to take off some of their better players at the interval, and the combinations thereafter were nowhere near as strong, and the makeshift City side took advantage.

For Oxford City, keeper McKenzie-Lyle looks to be an astute signing. It is always tough to judge trialists on the basis of one game or 45 minutes, but numbers 10 and 16 from the first half looked to be decent players and 16 and 9 from the second half deserve another look against more cohesive opposition.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y2wB6SQtFs