Pre-Season kicks off with a win.

[Alan Beckett]

THE G WORD

Carl Adams fielded a total of 22 players in Coleshill Town’s first pre-season friendly of the campaign away at Knowle on Saturday, with several players in particular illuminating what looked to be a dull and lifeless fixture in the first half. Second half run outs from left back Lee Bloxham and playmaker Danny Carter impressed Adams particularly, but it was a first half showing from new signing Jason Ramsey that ultimately proved to be the difference, as the attacker put in a great shift, serving up two well taken goals on his debut.
With uncertainty hanging over the future of Marvin Johnson, who is currently unattached, the Colemen will need that spark of creativity and injection of pace to be able to create waves in the Midlands Alliance League this coming season, a campaign in which they have plenty of reasons to look forward to. One criticism that could be directed their way from last season was that without Johnson occupying the flank, some of their play could be aimless, as one or two makeshift wingers failed to fill the void adequately.
Jason Ramsey looks to have all of the key attributes in his possession, showing lightning speed, the strength that his build would suggest and most importantly, the finish of an accomplished goal scorer. The former Racing Club Warwick and Woodford United man cancelled out recently departed Coleshill Town midfielder Stefano Aronandi’s strike just after the half hour in Saturday’s friendly fixture, hooking the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far corner beautifully to capitalise on a goalmouth scramble. Just a couple of minutes later and Ramsey had made his mark once again, this time thumping home from the penalty spot in an effortless display of composure and clinical finishing.
Just as nonchalantly as he had scored the two goals that set up his new side to eventually win the game 3-2, Ramsey disappeared down the tunnel at half time to be replaced alongside the rest of the eleven, his duty fulfilled with poise and grace. It looks as if Ramsey will surely play a part in the coming season, one which will be 2 games longer due to the introduction of a 23rd team in the league, thus stressing the importance of squad players. This will surely be the least that he will aim for though, as his performance was also notable for how quickly he settled in to the 3-4-3 formation alongside the regulars such as Chris Gumery and Jon Powis, looking as if he had played alongside them for years.
Ramsey chased lost causes and most of the time was rewarded as he gained possession of the ball, which he rarely wasted and never let go of. The future looks bright for the forward who has a history of making big impacts on the clubs he joins, becoming the top goal scorer in his time at Racing Club Warwick, and similar targets will be set at Pack Meadow for 2010/11.

Jack Arkell