Glenfield United under 18's gave a spirited performance but were unable to avoid defeat in their pre-season game at Leicester Bharat.
United took the lead after just five minutes, but Bharat struck back with avengence, scoring four times in the first half, including a hat-trick from their number ten, to all but put the game out of Glenfield's reach.
However, things picked up in the second half and a much better display saw Glenfield score three times but were unable to avoid defeat.
Results aren't important during pre-season though and the manager and players will be happy to get some much needed fitness ahead of the new season which starts in two weeks time in what were difficult conditions.
With the sun beating down, Glenfield got off to a great start. A cross from the right by Tak Mazundo was met by an unmarked Will Mayne who headed home after five minutes.
Mayne nearly made it 2-0 two minutes later. However, after being put through and beating the defence he shot straight at the 'keeper.
Bharat then levelled the scores after twelve minutes against the run of play. A long ball over the top saw Bharat's number ten run in one-on-one with United 'keeper Mitch Sewell and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
United nearly responded in the perfect fashion. A free kick from the left was whipped in by Jake Seaton and met at the back post by centre back Kyle Mclauchlan who headed against the bar.
To rub salt into the wound, the hosts went up the other end and took the lead. Once again, it was Bharat's number ten with the goal, this time running through Glenfield's defence and firing home.
Glenfield created more chances after going behind but spurned them after superb goalkeeping from the Bharat 'keeper. United were then made to pay in quick succession. Firstly, the thorn in the visitors side, Bharat's number ten, got through before squaring to his strike partner to tap into an empty net.
A minute later, Mclauchlan was closed down by the hosts number ten who rounded Sewell to complete his hat-trick and make the score 4-1 to Leicester Bharat which is how it stayed until half time.
United were perhaps understandably struggling to cope with the humid weather in their first match of the season, while the scoreline was an unfair reflection of the way the first half went. After some words of encouragement by Glenfield manager David Ball during the half time interval, the visitors began the task of reducing the deficit.
A heavy rain shower at the start of the second half seemed to freshen up both the conditions and the players, while the ball was now zipping across the grass, much to the benefit of the visitors' style of play.
This proved to be the case when United scored two goals in four minutes. Firstly, Mazundo scored the goal of the match as he scored from the edge of the area into the bottom right hand corner.
Kyle Gough then capitalised on an error in the Bharat defence to fire home into the same corner. With more than 20 minutes left, the comeback was certainly possible.
With United pressing for the equaliser, the hosts caught Glenfield on the counter attack. Once again, it was Bharat's number ten with his fourth and the team's fifth, finishing from six yards out.
Two minutes were left on the clock when good work from winger Nuno saw him cross to Jake Moseley who showed good composure, avoiding the tackles of two defenders before scoring. However, time ran out for Glenfield to find a deserved equaliser.
It was a good performance from a side who have yet to forge partnerships and are not yet familiar with each other. Glenfield are set to play Leicester Bharat in the league this season and will be confident that they can inflict revenge when the sides meet later this year.
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