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A first half goal from Sean Scannell gave Town a win in the first pre-season friendly of 2016/17 at regular opponent Guiseley of the Vanarama National League.
David Wagner got his wish in that Town finished the game unscathed whilst the large majority of the squad got 45 minutes under their belts.
Town absolutely dominated the game, having a massive 78% of the ball, and should have scored more; hitting the woodwork on three occasions.
Still, there was lots of things for the sizeable Town contingent in the crowd to see, including debuts for eight summer recruits.
Record signing Christopher Schindler looked a class act at center back in the first 45 and had a big hand in the only goal of the game. It was the German’s sharp forward pass that found Scannell as he drifted infield from the right and the winger wasted no time in unleashing a shot from 20 yards out that beat the ‘keeper, cannoning in off the right hand post.
Before that the impressive Philip Billing – who had a long range shot well saved also – almost set up the opener, winning possession in the Guiseley half before finding Jordy Hiwula. Jordy’s slide-rule pass found another infield run from Scannell, but he hit the outside of the post when well positioned in the penalty area.
Player of the Year Nahki Wells was the other man to hit the woodwork with a stunning, dipping 30 yard strike that beat the ‘keeper all ends up but cannoned off the bar.
It was all change at the interval, but the flow of the game continued. Kyle Dempsey matches Wells’ earlier effort, smashing the ball off the crossbar from long range with the goalkeeper well beaten.
That stopper – former Town man Ed Wilczynski – also made a great reaction save to deny new striker Elias Kachunga a goal on debut from a right-sided cross.
Joe Lolley was a constant threat, whilst another new boy, Jack Payne, flashed a left footed effort inches wide of the far post after a good reverse pass from Harry Bunn.
Also importantly, Chris Löwe showcased his ability at set pieces. One second half free kick was a stunning delivery into the box, narrowly evading new fans' favourite Michael Hefele at the back post.
All in all, it was encouraging. The new players looked more than happy in David Wagner’s 4-2-3-1 formation and moved the ball well considering it was the pre-season opener. Wagner will have wanted more goals, but there’s plenty of time to work on that before Brentford visits the John Smith’s Stadium on 6 August.
Town’s first half team (4-2-3-1):
Joel Coleman; Jason Davidson, Christopher Schindler, Mark Hudson, Tommy Smith; Philip Billing, Jonathan Hogg; Rajiv van La Parra, Jordy Hiwula, Sean Scannell; Nahki Wells
Town’s second half team (4-2-3-1):
Luke Coddington; Chris Löwe, Michael Hefele, Dean Whitehead, Martin Cranie; Ivan Paurević (Jordan Williams, 75), Kyle Dempsey; Joe Lolley, Jack Payne, Harry Bunn; Elias Kachunga
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