The players were met with scorching hot conditions on the hottest day of the year so far at Werrington Sports Centre, weather that would be more suited to Kevin Webster's holiday destination of Zante. Some players also had to deal with the consequences of a heavy Saturday drinking session as they attempted to acclimatise to the sweltering weather.

The game kicked off at just after 10am with Woodston starting on top with good possession that soon deteriorated when they came to attack the back four. The pace of Tony Harper and the composure on the ball of Michael Williams assured Cardea got through the first part of the game with Woodston only threatening a couple of times.

The 20th minute saw Cardea have there first attack after Adam Simons played a good ball over the top for George Greetham to run onto, Greetham controlled well but the keeper had come out bravely and cleared the ball while taking Greetham out in the process. Tom Rimes then created a chance for himself with a commanding run that ended with the keeper making a good save.

With half an hour gone Williams saw a header from a corner go wide. From the goal kick Daryl Patrick did well to win a 50/50 in midfield and played Daniel Robinson through on the left side of the box, Robinson found Adam Simons with a good pass who tapped into the empty net for 1-0 to Cardea. Simons had another chance from a Tom Rimes cross just before the half that ended up wide of the goal.

As half time approached Cardea were penned in near the right back position after a comedy fall from Greetham, who was clearly feeling the effects from last nights antics. A dodgy throw-in decision eventually led to Dale Moody conceding a penalty. The Rangers player stepped up to take against the imposing figure of Gavin Sampson and skied the spot kick so high over the bar it made a Charlie Adam penalty look decent.

Half time saw Greetham and Phil Brown come off for Dale Moore and a returning Kynan Bereznyckyj, making his first appearance of pre-season following an injury. The changed saw Williams move into midfield and D Moore taking the centre back position alongside speed king Harper.

With the heat taking it's toll on the players it was a low key start to the second half with a lot of long balls from Rangers finding goalkeeper Sampson in good positions to mop up.

On the hour mark some good Cardea build up saw Daryl Patrick through one on one with the keeper 6 yards out. The watching crowd thought there was only one outcome but Patrick fluffed his lines and the keeper made a good save. Afterwards a frustrated Patrick moaned: "The goalkeeper grew another toe."

Into the last 20 minutes and Patrick made up for his shocking miss when Simons played it to Robinson who backheeled it through the legs of the defender through to Bereznyckyj on the edge of the area who in turn played in Patrick to slot home for 2-0. A well worked goal for Patrick that would top a good performance which saw him awarded man of the match.

Ryan Moore stole the captain's armband for the rest of the match to try and assert his authority on a Cardea team that was starting to feel the hot conditions. There was still time for one more chance with Rimes again getting through down the right only to thwarted by the in form goalkeeper.

And that was that. Another solid win for Cardea against a good opposition who we will meet again in the league. Craig Robinson was impressed with the performance saying: "Considering we were missing a few players and the hot conditions it was a good effort.

"When we knocked the ball around and kept it on the deck we outplayed them. We were never really threatened defensively and when we attacked we caused them problems and it could have been more if Daz and Tom took their chances."

Next up for Cardea is Sunday 14th July when we welcome AFC Bretton to the Bushfield 3G. They will be a big step up in opposition and it will be interesting to see how far the squad and team have come this pre season.

Photos came courtesy of Robbo today.