DESPITE a four-goal haul for James O'Reilly, the Great Notley Rams were defeated in their second friendly by the Dunmow Rhodes Youth Tigers on Sunday.
The Rams lined up with Jamie McNeilly in goal, a back two of Jonathan Stoneman and Harvey Ricci, a midfield three of O'Reilly, Emma Root and Olivia Hales and Matthew Norris up top.
But the visitors were soon on the back foot as the Tigers quickly stretched to a four goal lead, before Matty Norris pulled one back, swiftly followed by O'Reilly's first and the Rams' second.
At half time there were two goals between the teams, and the Rams reformed with Tom McInnery on for a phase of play and Ricci taking his place between the sticks, while McNeilly added some grit to the defence.
The two teams began trading goals in an open and free-flowing second half, with O'Reilly picking off goals for the visitors, but the substantial efforts of the Rams was to no avail and the home side completed their victory.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "I was very impressed by the efforts of the teams on a very hot day. It was clear that they had translated a lot of the things that we had practised on the training field into the match, our quick throws for instance were a marked improvement, but clearly we need to work harder on defence.
"Going forward I believe we have a real threat up front, but we need to stop conceding, particularly with our next game being our first league match of the season.
"But all of the team can take credit from the effort that they put in against a very well-organised Rhodes Tigers side."
