Wanderers Reserves struggled to get their game together as they went down to a 3-0 defeat at the Baseball Ground.

Keeper Gavin Ward was busy early on, making good reflex saves from both Leroy Murphy and Kevin Cooper, but he couldn't prevent County going ahead on the half hour.

From a right wing corner, full back Ian Ashbee was allowed too much space to hear into the net from 10 yards out.

Three minutes after the interval a short corner reached Steve Elliott and his shot from a deflection on its way past Ward for County's second.

The home side's third goal was a disputed affair, full back Neil Marsh appearing to have headed Ashley Ward's effort off the line, only for the referee's assistant to flag and indicate that the ball had crossed the line.

For the Wanderers, chances were few. Scott Taylor, who worked hard for little reward, forced County keeper Andy Quy into his only real save of the evening while striking partner Marco Minchella shot wide after being put through by Lee Potter.

Simon Coleman came through his first competitive game since pre-season and is hopeful that he will suffer no reaction which will put him in line for the reserves next game at Manchester United on Monday evening.

Team: Ward, Marsh, Small, Todd, Coleman, Strong, Quinn, Whitehead (Potter), Minchella, Taylor, Aljofree.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.