As in the previous game against Risborough, it was a game of two halves with most of FC’s good work again happening in the first half, leaving the second half free to experiment with both personnel and tactics.

Lee Stobbs had the first effort, a curling shot on nine minutes, and this was followed by the opening goal when a mistake by the Berko keeper allowed Kieron Turner to slot the ball home. Three minutes later Lee Stobbs controlled the ball on the edge of the area before placing a side footed effort into the bottom corner for 2-0. Only sixty more seconds elapsed before FC made it three and effectively finished the game as a contest. Aaron Couch controlled the ball and his 25 yard effort looked to be well covered but the home keeper allowed the ball to squirm under his body for 3-0.

On the 20 minute mark, Stobbs tested the keeper with a low shot and James Faulkner was the next Mole to have a go when he challenged the keeper to a one on one battle, with the Berko number one saving with his feet. It was all one way traffic by this stage and this pattern continued with Jonny Montgomery placing a shot just wide of the post before the woodwork was rattled on 36 minutes when JJ Lofthouse-Smith hit a header from close range after good work on the right.

It wasn’t until the 38th minute that the home team had their first chance and they took it with aplomb to reduce the deficit. It only needed a slight touch home after a Jack Brooker flap and Connor Deadman was there to tap the ball home.

Lee Stobbs was back in the action after the break, taxing the keeper’s reactions on 52 minutes and the follow up was guided home by John Smith to restore FC’s three goal cushion. Berko continued to look for an opening however and a smart shot with the instep nicked just over the bar. Another shot on low minutes had FC’s Brooker scrambling to gather the ball. A sliced shot over the bar gave Berko yet another chance but this time the chance was wasted as the shot was sliced over the bar.

A low shot by Kieron Turner gave the home keeper a little to think about on 70 minutes and this was the last real action of the game as FC’s pre-season games were wound up in a satisfactory fashion.

Matchday Squad
Jack Brooker
Jordan Jenkins
JJ Lofthouse-Smith
Mark Lambert
Victor Ocansey
Ben Stevens
Ben Bateman
Jonny Montgomery
John Smith
Lee Stobbs
Kieron Turner
James Faulkner
Melchi Emmanuel-Williamson
Aaron Couch
Mark Carty