ALL SQUARE

It was a case of first and last at Parkside on Monday evening, when a Blues goal five minutes from time cancelled out Hashtag United's first minute opener in this competitive preseason friendly. Once again Jim Cooper fielded a number of trialists who all gave a good account of themselves - the pick being young 17 year old Joe Agunbade revealing lightning pace and control. The evening was marred by what looked like a nasty injury to Luke Hirst who limped out of the game after just five minutes - he joins fellow striker Darelle Russell on the injured list.

Blues got off to the worst possible start when another defensive error allowed Hashtag to open the scoring inside the first two minutes once again leaving Danny Sambridge exposed .

Cooper was clearly incensed by Blues lacklustre start in contrast to the visitors who were allowed to dictate proceedings during the opening period, something that clearly has to and without doubt be addressed in the upcoming friendlies.

The visitors were clearly fired up closing Blues down at every opportunity, forcing them to play back and across rarely troubling the keeper. In contrast Sambridge was called into action on a number of occasions to keep the deficit to one goal.

Blues first corner just after the half hour mark almost brought an equaliser when the ball struck the inside of the far post direct from the kick.

HT 0-1

The restart saw Blues moving the ball with more urgency - Mitch Hahn coming close when his free kick drifted wide of the upright .

Both managers took the opportunity to make changes which did affect the flow of the game , but as the half progressed Blues came more into it, especially the runs of Agunbade drawing close attention from the visitors rearguard.

Jack Moore on for Sambridge was quickly into the action when he made a vital save to deny Hashtag increasing their advantage.

In the closing minutes the visitors were denied what looked a clear penalty when young substitute Charlie Hare mistimed his challenge, but to the amazement of all around the official waved play on. Almost immediately Blues were back on level terms when Carlos picked up the ball jinked past a couple of defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Perhaps not Blues most fluent outing to date, but that's understandable when factoring in the new faces on show, but it does give the management team another look at trialists and player permutations.

Sambridge, Sammons , Joynes, Clark, Ahern, Girling, Hahn, Paxman, Carlos,
Subs:all used, Hare,Stokes,Moore.
Trialists all used, Omolabi,Adeyemi,Agunbade