Cooks enjoy a romp in the sunshine.

After failing to find a suitable venue for this game, we eventually settled for a 10am KO on the back pitch at Compton Park.

Unfortunately I haven't been well this last week so I wasn't able to attend today's pre-season opener so no photo's and no waffle from the game.

Secretary Jon Wright had been trying to secure a 3G pitch around the area with a lunchtime kick-off to allow everyone to watch the England game in the afternoon, but after drawing a blank it was decided that it would be played on the back pitch at Cogenhoe. With the cricket team needing this in the afternoon, Irchester United kindly agreed to a very early 10 am kick-off and it was game on.

The game saw Cogenhoe put five goals past their UCL Division One near neighbours with Matt Long leading the way with two, while Matt Johnson, Luke Stone and Liam Tuck all opened their pre-season accounts as well. Early games like this are all about getting in some match action and re-bonding that team spirit on the pitch that took us to the heights of Northamptonshire's highest placed UCL club last season, but hitting five is always a boost to the confidence whatever the circumstances. It is great to see Luke Stone's name on the teamsheet once again after taking last season off to recover from injury and his experience and ability will be a real boost to the squad. He came through forty-five minutes with the bonus of grabbing a goal, but will likely need some time to regain the levels of fitness (physical and match) required to compete at the standards we have set ourselves as a club.

Cooks team;

Callum Patching, Josh Melling, Jacob Gartland, Dan Stevenson, Jamie Inwood, Harry Chipchase, Liam Tuck, Séan McBride, Ryan Dove, Matt Long, Matt Johnson. Subs all used; Luke Stone, Jacob Cox, Charlie Hynam, Joe Shanley, Curtis Avery, Ali Duncan, Ash Hewitt.

Next Saturday is due to be a double header against Biggleswade F.C (not our usual pre-season opponents) with the Reserves kicking off at 1pm and the First team's at 3pm. Times may vary slightly though and a preview will be on here sometime on Friday evening.