Linnets:3 U's:2

Attending pre-season friendlies is a bit like viewing an episode of Doctors, Quincy, or one of the other programmes that are shown during the afternoon; You watch them because there's nothing else on, and you think they'll be ok, but after about half an hour you're bored witless and your mind starts to wander to bigger and better things still to come, like 24, or Prison Break, or in this case Northwich Victoria on August 12.

Right, that's enough crap analogies for one day. Yesterday's game actually wasn't that bad as far as friendlies go, although the result wasn't the one that 'Brabs' and 'Cards' would have been hoping for.

United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with both new boys (Tonkin and Parkinson) making an appearance, alongside trialist Matt Halliday. Parkinson had the odd good touch, but spent a lot of the match isolated as United's play mostly came down the left through Tonkin and the rejuvenated Mark Convery. I seem to remember that Convery looked quite good last pre-season, so we'll wait and see what happens to him when the going gets tough. Tonkin, however, looks an excellent purchase, with some strong, calm, defending allied to the odd burst forward.

Despite the many changes that have taken place since that day at Wembley, United began the new season as they finished the last; conceding a shoddy goal from a corner. Francis delivered the ball to the back post, where Crane nodded it back into the danger area for Weaver to flick past Danny Potter.

Lynn are certainly no pushovers, and their neat brand of passing football should ensure they hold their own in the Conference North next year. It was clear United were looking to knock the ball around as well, with Beesley often dropping deep to link play and long balls up to the imposing figure of Evil kept to a premium.

The big man, who I thought looked markedly less big than at the end of last year, missed a couple of good chances, while Beesley shot wide and Reedy curled one over the bar. John Turner, one of a couple of ex-U's on display for the hosts (the great Mark Peters warmed up pre-match, but sadly didn't make it onto the pitch) appears to have been converted to a winger, a position which may suit his still-wiry frame quite well. He got one good low cross in which Halliday had to turn behind for a corner.

But United were generally in control, and got a deserved equaliser just before the break. Convery played a pass into McEvilly, who found Beesley. A swift one-two with Parkinson later, Bees found himself with a sight of goal, and placed his shot across Scott Howie into the far corner.

Changes a-plenty came for both sides at half time, with another trialist, Pat Bexfield coming in at right back. Evil had a good chance within a couple of minutes of the restart when he bounced Weaver out of the way, ran clear, but shot wide. He was soon replaced by the third of our on-trial trio, Ramon Calliste. Neither of the second half new boys did much to enhance their claims for a contract for next term, although it has to be said that, with both Beesley and Evil withdrawn, United's attack looked disjointed for much of part two.

One player who was fairly lively was Craig Bussens, whose tricky feet caused his marker problems on a number of occasions. And it was the young right winger who won us a penalty, darting into the area and being tripped by an outstretched leg. Reedy took responsibility, and placed a good penalty into the corner of the net.

And, with the defence looked fairly comfortable, the Brabin reign was all set to begin with victory. That was until Josh Coulson tried an ambitious pass out to Jordan Collins, and only succeeded in whacking the ball into the face of Hatswell. The rebound fell at the predatory feet of Danny Bloomfield, who was never likely to miss. And Bloomfield was at it again moments later, darting past a couple of missed challenges and beating Potter for a second time, and suddenly 2-1 was 2-3.

"There were a lot of positives to take from this game" said our leader afterwards, showing once more that, even though he only has three months experience under his belt, the art of manager-speak is already second nature for him. The main ones for me were that no one got injured, and our style of play, particularly in the first half, was quite pleasing on the eye. However, we'll need to tighten up in defence before the real action starts. But of course it's still early days, roll on Tuesday night.

Man of the Match: Anthony Tonkin - If he continues to perform in this fashion his billing as the best left back in the league will be justified.

Weirdo of the Match: You could take your pick from any of the number of strange looking characters hanging around at Kings Lynn station, most of whom looked like extras from the League of Gentleman. My personal favourite was a bald bloke with a massive bushy beard who was gurning at anyone who came within his vicinity.