LAUNCESTON’S first team travelled up to North Devon on Saturday, to take on Southern League Bideford for their first pre-season friendly.

The hosts were well ahead of the Clarets in terms of preparation for the new season, having already played three games, including a 2-1 defeat against big-spending local rivals Barnstaple Town.

The Clarets, now under the joint-management of Neil Price and Simon Minett, went with an experimental line-up in a low-key affair featuring rolling substitutions and regular drinks breaks, on a sweltering afternoon.

Launceston included former Bodmin keeper Oliver Sidey and after a shaky start, his handling and distribution improved steadily.

The Clarets showed little in attack but almost took the lead on the half-hour when Kian Berry's long-range effort from an acute angle somehow beat the keeper before being cleared off the line.

Despite being under pressure against a higher-ranked side, Launceston defended well and it took Bideford 35 minutes to break the deadlock. Ryan Turner flicked home a header from a right-wing corner.

The Clarets, with Jaden Wood working hard in midfield, had done well to keep the first half deficit to a single goal but within two minutes of the restart the Robins had doubled their lead. The referee awarded a penalty for a mistimed challenge and although Sidey did well to keep out the original effort, a Bideford trialist rammed home the rebound.

By this stage the superior match sharpness of the home side was starting to become apparent and Charlie Wright added a third following some defensive hesitation. With both sides flagging in the extreme heat, midfielder Jamie Hearsey rounded off the scoring before the referee brought the game to a slightly premature, but much-appreciated, halt.

Price and Minett will have seen enough to offer encouragement ahead of their next pre-season outing at home to Okehampton Argyle on Saturday (3pm).