FOLLOWING on from a day off yesterday (Wednesday) the Golden Boys returned to the training pitch this morning in the blazing German sunshine.

Breakfast was at the usual time of 9.00am before they started the hard work at 10.00am. Today was a very intensive workout for the squad. Alec Chamberlain took the two goalkeepers, Mart Poom and Richard Lee, down to the pitches early so they could get some extra training in and to make sure they were properly warmed up by the time the practice started.

Firstly it was the usual warm up taken by Conditioning Coach Martyn Pert, he made sure the players were stretched out before they started on some passing exercises. Defender Aidy Mariappa was back in training today following aggravating the injury he picked up at Boreham Wood on Saturday. Meanwhile Tommy Smith had a one-on-one session with Head of Medical Andy Rolls to assess how he is reacting to his thigh problem.

Technical Director Dick Bate then took the next part of the session on half of the full sized pitch. He focused on counter attacks and the importance of breaking at speed and the damage it can do. Poom and Lee took turns in goal while the defenders came up against a different attacking three each time. The strikers had to dispose the players in the semi circle before coming up against the on-coming defenders. Shots fired in on the goal from the left and right and the two goalkeepers were made to work for their money after already having a tough session with Chamberlain.

The thi

rd and final part of the session saw the squad split into three different groups. Pert took the strikers for a shooting practice, using both feet. The attacking players had to turn and shoot first on their right then on their left, then they had to run on to a ball from a team mate. Once again the goalkeeper had balls constantly flying at them from all angles.

Bate and player-coach Malky Mackay took the defenders along with Gavin Mahon, John-Joe O'Toole and Lee Williamson while Aidy Boothroyd took birthday boy Jordan Parkes, Mariappa and Lloyd Doyley. Parkes was sung happy birthday by the touring party at dinner last night and was presented with a huge birthday cake. He thanked everyone and said how different it was to a year ago when he was away with the Academy with the Marines at Lympstone, Devon.

The sun was shining bright for the whole of the session and the players took all the drills very seriously. Poom and Lee were working well together, the big Estonian is a dedicated trainer who doesn't like being beaten, even in training!

Then it was the normal stretches before everyone tidied up and the squad was taken for an ice bath, courtesy of the local stream!

Following lunch back at the hotel and a free early afternoon for the players, they were leaving again at 3.45pm for another session for two hours. Next up for the Hornets is Maccabi Hafia on Saturday, kick off is 4.00pm German time and the game will be played at Hemmerau bei Ainring.