Biggleswade Town assistant Brett Donnelly says ‘we didn’t realise the potential of our players’

PUBLISHED: 10:01 12 July 2018 | UPDATED: 10:16 12 July 2018

Toby Miles

Lee Allinson in conversation with Brett Donnelly. Picture: Melissa Page

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London Colney Football Club, Cotlandswick, London Colney AL2 1DW. Action of the match between London Colney (in red) against Biggleswade (in blue). Picture: Melissa Page

The new-look Biggleswade side won their first game of pre-season on Saturday, as Lee Allinson’s men eased past Colney in relentless heat.

First half goals from Robbie Buchanan and George Bailey were added to by player/assistant manager Donnelly and Sam Gibson in the second period, as two evenly matched Biggleswade XIs played 45-minutes each.

London Colney Football Club, Cotlandswick, London Colney AL2 1DW. Action of the match between London Colney (in red) against Biggleswade (in blue). Brett Donnelly fires in Biggleswade's third goal. Picture: Melissa Page

Speaking to CometSport, Donnelly said: “The lads did really well, we had a good tempo. The young lads did really well and the new signings look like they’re going to push us on, we’re very happy.

“I don’t think we’d realised the potential of the players we’ve got. We had three players in May and now we’ve come into our first friendly with 22. We’re in a much better position than I thought we’d be.

London Colney Football Club, Cotlandswick, London Colney AL2 1DW. Matt Ball in action for Biggleswade Town against London Colney. Picture: Melissa Page

“They were very tough conditions, rubbish pitch too but I can’t think of a player who didn’t perform. It wasn’t ideal kicking-off at 12pm but the World Cup got in the way, so needs must.”

Speaking on the club’s new YouTube channel, Biggleswade Town TV, vice-captain Kieron Forbes said: “Considering we don’t know each other, we did well. It was nice to get started.”

London Colney Football Club, Cotlandswick, London Colney AL2 1DW. Action of the match between London Colney (in red) against Biggleswade (in blue). Picture: Melissa Page

Donnelly joined from Hitchin Town in the summer, when the Waders legend was apprehensive about his playing-time for next season. However, the battering-ram centre-forward was satisfied with his performance.

Donnelly said: “I got one but I should have had about four. It was squared to me and I had about 73 touches and managed to put it in in the end. It’s always nice to score.

Luca Allinson-Stalham for Biggleswade Town. Picture: Melissa Page

“I felt really well, I surprised myself a lot. They weren’t the quality of opposition we’ll play in a month but I’m definitely going to be up for selection.

“I’ll give the management a decision and the lads who’ll play in my position will be made well aware they’ve got to push me out the side.”

London Colney Football Club, Cotlandswick, London Colney AL2 1DW. Action of the match between London Colney (in red) against Biggleswade (in blue). Luca Allinson-Stalham for Biggleswade Town. Picture: Melissa Page

Next up, the Waders face Potton United on Saturday, before the Allinson Derby on Monday, where Waders boss Lee faces his dad Ian, who’ll bring his St Albans City side to Langford Road.