Liam Watson after next AFC Telford friendly
AFC Telford United boss Liam Watson could arrange another friendly for next week to get more game-time into on-the-mend duo Sean Cooke and Mat Bailey.
Both were substitutes in last night's 4-1 win at Welsh Premier League club Airbus, Bailey coming on at half-time before Cooke was introduced on the hour.
Towering 6ft 7in former Crewe man Bailey played in defence alongside Dan Preston and captain Simon Grand, as the Bucks switched to three centre-backs after the break.
The 27-year-old has been rehabbing with the club after suffering a cruciate ligament injury at his last club Nantwich and is operating without a contract, but is still some way from a first-team debut.
Cooke joined on a one-year deal with a fractured leg, having been hurt playing for his former side AFC Flyde and last night was the first time he had been seen publically in a Telford shirt.
And Watson is considering organising another friendly so Bailey, Cooke and the fringe members of his side can get sharper away from the Skrill Conference North fixture list.
The Telford chief said: "Mat and Sean did alright, but it's how they feel today and whether they can train tomorrow night that will establish how they are.
"We put Mat at the back to put him under a bit less pressure as we were on top, playing with three centre-backs at the time.
"Sean showed some good touches when he came on, but it will take a while to get him back to his best. I don't think he's going to be ready for Saturday.
"The pair of them need games so if I can arrange a friendly for next week, I might well do that. They are better off playing in friendlies than just training. I would prefer to go away."
Airbus had led 1-0 at the Airfield in Broughton through Zac Edwards' opener, but Tony Gray's double before the break gave Telford the advantage at half-time.
Jake Bennett climbed off the bench along with Sean Clancy and Cooke on the hour and got the third goal, sweeping in Matthew McGinn's cross at the far post.
Mike Phenix later came on for Gray and rounded off the scoring, when he took Charlie Barnett's pass down the middle and applied the finish.
Clancy played a cameo role having scored in his last four consecutive games, which won him the Skrill North Player of the Month award for August.
Watson said: "Whatever Sean is getting, he deserves because of his work-rate. He has come to the club with a bit of fire in his belly."
