Event:  Pre
Season Friendly

Teams:
Bradford on
Avon
v Swindon Dolphin

Location:  Bradford
on
Avon

Date:
Thursday 7^th February 2008

Swindon
Dolphin pipped Bradford on
Avon
with a last minute strike as their build up to the start of the 2008 season continues.  Travelling
with a team that was made up of new squad members and a handful of first seven
players, this was always going to be a tough fixture against a full strength
Bradford
side on their own patch.

 

Dolphin
started reasonably well and managed to force the first exclusion of the match –  however
poor handling meant this opportunity was missed. 
Bradford
soon forced their own exclusion and took the lead.  This
was followed up by another strike 30 seconds later.  Dolphin
recovered from this early set back and forced further exclusions, one of which
resulted in a goal for Matt
James.  The
quarter ended with Dolphin trailing by one.

In
the second quarter
Bradford
scored at will on every attack, extending their lead to four goals. 
Swindon
changed their defensive tactics and Michal
Trzeciak netted twice for the visitors. 

Dolphin
were trailing by seven goals to three going in to the third period. 
There were two further strikes from Trzeciak,  but
a fifth goal by Bradford’s Robinson soon
extended their lead to three.

During
the last period Dolphin showed their metal.  Trzeciak ensured
the quarter started well with a strike from distance.  Ian
Brewer then passed to Mark Lawlor who
slotted past the home keeper.  With two
minutes left it looked bleak for the
Swindon
side but Chris
Selby had other ideas – a strong swim and pass set
up James to
score and level the match.  Then with
30 seconds left Trzeciak stole
the ball from a
Bradford
player and released James which
he just managed to convert from a tight angle giving the travellers an unlikely victory.

Captain Andy
Hicks said afterwards: ‘this game was a big test
for our squad.  It was by no means our
strongest team but the new players will have gained a lot from competing under this
type of pressure and getting another game under their belts.’

Result:  Bradford
on Avon 8 – 9
Swindon
Dolphin 

Team: I
Brewer, G Coton (1 major), Chris Selby, Andy Hicks, Andy Prowse, Chris McConnell,
Matt James (3 goals, 1 major), Pete Everett (1 major), Mark Lawlor (1 goal, 1 major),
Michal Trzeciak (5 goals), M Lievers

Source:
Swindon
Dolphin Press Team