Pitchero Non League

City completed their warm-up with a lacklustre draw at Leamington on Saturday, their eighth match of the pre-season programme which was extended by a week because of the Olympics.

But, having initially reported back for training at the start of July, the players are champing at the bit to face newcomers Bradford Park Avenue in Saturday’s opener.

Heeley also feels his team have learned valuable lessons ahead of what they hope will be another successful season. He said: “We want to get started now and are conscious that overall we’re happy with how the preparations have gone.

“I think there is things we have learned and probably learned more on Saturday than in some of the other games, which is great for us. But we want to get going, the extra week has seemed like a long time.

“We’ve been together now for pushing seven weeks and overall it’s been a good pre-season.

“There were things I wasn’t happy with against Leamington but it’s never all going to go your way — teams are not going to roll over for you and we’re not always going to dominate games.

“We have got a lot of young lads and there’s been a few lessons for them but it’s been a good work-out and overall we can let them off a game when they are a little under-par.”

The City boss added: “We encourage the boys to play football and sometimes they try to play in bad areas. One of the consequences is you’re going to cause yourself problems at times and we accept that.

“It’s about educating players over when to play and when you’ve got to put your foot through it.

“There’s a lot of young lads there and they’ve got lots of qualities.”

An own goal from Stuart Whitehead gave Leamington the lead after seven minutes at the New Windmill Ground before Danny Glover equalised in the 35th minute, firing home following Charlie Reece’s pass.

Former Worcester winger Matt Dodd restored the Brakes’ advantage from the penalty spot in the 68th minute but Reece converted sub Michael Taylor’s pass to level again 15 minutes from time.

Tags: News | Worcester City

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