Bungay Town 0, Walsham-le-Willows 4THE Black Dogs had a challenging first pre-season friendly at the Maltings Meadow on Friday evening as they took on Ridgeons Premier League side Walsham-le-Willows.

Bungay Town 0, Walsham-le-Willows 4

THE Black Dogs had a challenging first pre-season friendly at the Maltings Meadow on Friday evening as they took on Ridgeons Premier League side Walsham-le-Willows.

They were rarely able to seriously test the visitors' goalkeeper but they kept the margin to one goal until the final 20 minutes, and it was a useful work-out for new manager Mike Derbyshire's squad.

The opening goal came after 15 minutes as a glancing header beat young keeper Robert Long. But later the keeper made a superb save to turn away another goal-bound header.

Bungay's best effort of the first half came from a fierce low drive from Paul Hunter, who has returned to the club, which the keeper did well to take low down as Paul Bullen moved in.

In the second half a reshuffle saw former Black Dog Matt Holmes come on up front. The home side worked hard to get back into the game against the strong opposition, but Walsham finally broke through with 20 minutes left, and added two more before the end.

Bungay's best effort came from a speculative long range shot from Matt King which the keeper just managed to turn onto the bar, with no forward close enough to take advantage of the loose ball.

On Saturday Bungay have a home friendly against Acle United (2.30pm).

On Wednesday the Sunday first team entertain Pot Black club (7.30pm) and on Thursday the U18's entertain Debenham LC U18's (7.30pm). Then next Friday the Sunday first team play Beccles Caxton Reserves (7.30pm).

Other pre-season friendlies: Friday, August 7 Old Newton United v Bungay, first team and Reserves fixtures; Monday, August 10 Bungay Ladies v Swanton Herons (7.30pm); Tuesday, August 11 Bungay Town v Hempnall (7.30pm); Wednesday, August 12 Bungay Reserves v Wortwell (7.30pm); Thursday, August 13 Bungay U18's v Diss Town U18's (7.30pm); Friday, August 14 Bungay Veterans v Harleston Veterans (7.30pm).

Bungay kick-off their Anglian Combination Division One programme with a visit to Sole Bay (Southwold) on Tuesday, August 18 (6.30pm). The Reserves visit Long Stratton in their first league game in Division Four the following evening.

Bungay's first home league game is on August 25, when they entertain Scole United (7.30pm). Three days later, on Friday, August 28, they entertain Wymondham Town (7.30pm).