Neither keeper had a serious shot to save. But it was a good watch.
We didn’t park the bus and didn’t play hoofball. Proper football.

Those who said it was a good time to play the expensively assembled favourites for the title probably proved right. We looked more of a cohesive team than they did. Although they clearly had some talented players, still in ‘getting to know you’ mode.

Daniel’s and Morris are class. Look more than adequate replacements for Raglan and Pritchard. Woods and Conlon both excellent in central midfield. Probably the best game I’ve seen Conlon play for us. Pett and Payne not really missed.

Fondop worked his socks off. So did Drummond, but he just doesn’t have the physical size or strength to play the same game as Fondop, which seemed to be what he had been told to do. Hannant looked very lively when he came on, to play as #10 in a 4-2-3-1 for 15 minutes before moving to left back. With hindsight we might have been better starting like that and bringing Drummond on later.

Hawkes was disappointing and looked off the pace.

Never mind signing a new striker, it was somewhat alarming that Drummond had to stay on for the full 95 minutes..The game was crying out for a Garner or Harratt to replace him.

Overall very satisfactory start, in the circumstances. We were absolutely competitive with the favourites to win this division. Draw was the only fair result. Support from the travelling contingent was superb.