An experimental Bibury AFC X1 earned a 1-1 draw against Gloucestershire Northern Senior Division 2 side FC Lakeside.
Due to Holidays, Unavailability and Injuries Bibury AFC Manager Andy Ealey had to cope with up to 10 players out of this friendly fixture.

Due to this Simon Randlesome, Tom Jehu, Alex Hiscock, Jason Gunnett, Adam Holmes, Will Hooton and Chris Sutton all made their first appearances in Bibury Colours whilst Kane Outram, Mat Brunton and Charlie Ingham all gained valuable game time that they had been lacking during the current pre season programme.

As expected Bibury AFC failed to gain any fluidity and rhythm during the first half and were fortunate to go into the half time break with the score at 0-0. Goalkeeper Randlesome had made two-three good stops, whilst a Tom Jehu goal line clearance and a decent battling performance from CDM Jason Gunnett had kept the score line level.

Consequently, Manager Ealey told his troops some "Home Truths" at half time and ultimately the Gloucestershire side had a much more spirited second half.
The half actually began with the Lakeside no9 turning centre back and Captain for the day, Alistair Ross inside out before firing a well struck finish into the roof of the net.

After this opener Lakeside rarely threatened again all game and their lack of fitness really begun to show. EALEY then changed his formation to a 4-4-1-1 and Bibury started to gain some momentum, Ingham and Ramsey in particular started to show their worth and more chances came Biburys way.

Bibury eventually equalised through Archie Day who through good perseverance had an easy tap in from a yard out to level the score and it looked as if at one stage Bibury could steel an unlikely win.

Ingham squandered a good chance after good work from Day and more crossing from Outram and Ramsey failed to materialise in a scoring chance and in the end the referee blew his whistle to end the affair in a 1-1 draw.

The Manager commented afterwards "First half we were disjointed and failed to get any flow going. Second half was much improved and we deserved the equaliser in the end. I think if we had 10 more minutes we probably would of scored the second and gone on for the win but in the end a draw was probably a fair reflection of the game itself".

Team: Randlesome, Brunton, Ross (C), Hiscock, Jehu, Gunnett, Sutton, Hooton, Holmes, Outram, Day
Subs: Ingham, Ramsey

Next up for Bibury in their pre season friendly programme is a home game again Hellenic Division One West side New College Academy on Saturday 22nd July, 3pm kick off.