City got their pre-season schedule off to a winning start with a narrow victory over Ridgeons Eastern Counties League outfit Whitton United, Cliff Akurang and Moses Ademola bagging a goal each as Manager Glenn Pennyfather got his first look at the players available to him for the 2011/12 campaign.

New forward Akurang levelled for the Clarets after they fell behind, then ex-Woking trialist Ademola completed the comeback on an afternoon where the Clarets boss ran the rule over a number of newcomers. “We created chances in both halves and the game was good for the players’ fitness,” explained Glenn afterwards. “I never look too deeply into results in these games, especially on a sticky pitch, but there was nothing which displeased me.”

Pennyfather named a different experimental team in each half, with numerous actual signings yet to feature as he included several trial runners. Alex Rossis played the whole game in goal having gained experience in the Greek League while Bobby Aisien, who was with Dover Athletic last year, lined-up in defence. Former Arsenal youth forward Jermaine Brown also played, as did ex-Dagenham & Redbridge winger Tommy Tejan-Sie and midfielder Joe Bricknell.

Leaving the club this week has been his cousin, striker Billy Bricknell, and Wayne Gray, plus goalkeeper Nicky Eyre. Bricknell is believed to have linked-up with Dover Athletic, Gray has signed for Woking and custodian Eyre has departed for personal reasons having initially moved to City in May. “We attempted to keep hold of Billy and Wayne but couldn’t compete financially with what they were being offered elsewhere,” Pennyfather confirmed.

“We’re obviously still on the lookout for more players at this busy time of the year but it’s good to already have a base to build from at this early stage. Clearly our priorities now lie with finding ourselves a goalkeeper and at least one striker. As for the other positions, we’ll be looking at more individuals during the friendlies to see if there is anyone who can improve our team. It’s our intention to hit the ground running when the competitive season starts.”

First Half: Alex Rossis, Ben Nunn, Aiden Palmer, Rob Swaine, Miles Bacon, David Rainford, Greg Morgan, Max Cornhill, Kezie Ibe, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Joe Bricknell. Second Half: Alex Rossis, Justin Miller, Daniel Lopez, Mark Haines, Bobby Aisien, Jermaine Brown, Ricky Modeste, Tyrone Scarlett, Moses Ademola, Cliff Akurang, Seb Dunbar.