Motty remains bang on course

8:44pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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Chris Willmott declared himself "very pleased" as he successfully came through his first full 90 minutes of pre-season this week.

The experienced former Wimbledon and Luton centre back, who missed most of last season with a knee injury after having surgery on his cruciate knee ligaments at the start of 2007, worked hard through the summer to be fit on his return to full-time training.

'You're never sure about it until you test it in games and go hard into challenges'

His progress is being carefully monitored, and after playing parts of games a few times, he lasted the full match as the U's won 1-0 against Bath City at Twerton Park on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old, who joined United from Northampton Town in May 2005, said: "I'm very pleased to come through the full 90 minutes and it felt fine - better than I expected, to be honest.

"I've done a lot to get up to this stage, but you're never sure about it until you test it out in games and go hard into challenges."

United manager Darren Patterson said: "Seeing Motty come through the full 90 minutes the way he did was one of the big plusses of the evening."

While all the attention in recent weeks has been on United's many new signings, several of the old guard are also making an impression.

New skipper Adam Murray laid on Yemi Odubade's second-minute goal at Bath.

Odubade's strike was the first goal in pre-season from a player who was at Oxford last season. The previous ones at Oxford City, Brackley, Banbury and Maidenhead came from Jason Constable (2), Lewis Haldane (3), Jamie Guy (3) and Craig Reid.

Willmott and Barry Quinn appear to be challenging for one place alongside last season's runaway player-of-the-year, Luke Foster.

And although Quinn's consistency in the last campaign may give him a slight edge to start with, Willmott's height and considerable experience means he could easily overtake the Irishman once he gets match-sharp.