There's One Week To Go! Saturday's Action Reviewed

By Sam Elliott

Saturday was the final pre-season game for most of our teams as they gear up for a week of fine-tuning and tweaking before Saturday’s big kick-off. Tom Scott reviews the final round of warm-up matches.

A superb brace from AFC Fylde’s new signing Danny Philliskirk set the Coasters on their way to a 3-0 victory against Curzon Ashton.

Southport secured a brilliant win against a decent Bury side. Former Salford City striker Mike Phenix bagged a brace and then created a goal for Jack Sampson, who made it 3-1.

Mark Bower said his side put in a ‘perfect performance’ as his Bradford (Park Avenue) side beat Barrow 2-0. A goal from scholar Matthew Rowntree was the highlight.

FC United of Manchester won an incredible seven goal thriller against Welsh side Airbus UK. Kurt Willoughby scored ten minutes from time to steal a win for Tom Greaves’ men.

Maidstone wrapped up pre-season with a 4-1 win against Dulwich Hamlet. Blair Turgott, Michael Phillips, Joe Quigley and Jamar Loza put the Stones four up, before a consolation from Ashley Carew for the visitors.

Kidderminster Harriers inflicted a first pre-season defeat on Solihull Moors. They beat Tim Flowers’ men 3-0 courtesy of an Ashley Chambers brace and a goal from Joe Ironside.

Another goal-fest at Wrexham – who were playing their first pre-season game at the Racecourse for three years. A battling performance wasn’t enough for the hosts as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Forest Green Rovers.

Stockport played out a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield as did Woking and Dover.

Harrogate Town travelled to Wales for their last warm-up game. They slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Cefn Druids despite Dom Knowles giving the visitors a first-half lead.

Sutton United won 1-0 against Norwich under-23. Josh Taylor’s early goal enough for the U’s at Gander Green Lane.

Southend twice led at Leyton Orient but goals from Macauley Bonne and James Alabi ensured the game finished level in East London.

Hemel Hempstead played out a five-goal thriller with Dagenham and Redbridge. Michael Cheek’s brace and a goal from Will Wright put the Daggers three up at half time but the Tudors pulled two back in the second half.

Monsoon conditions didn’t stop Boston United as Adam Marriott helped the Pilgrims on their way to a 2-1 victory at Halifax.

Torquay ran out 2-0 winners at Dorchester. Billericay Town also rounded off pre-season with a 2-0 win over Biggleswade Town.

Alfreton won the Derbyshire bragging rights – beating Chesterfield 2-0 at the Impact Arena.

Salford City won 2-1 away at Altrincham. Rory Gaffney’s first goal for the visitors was a highlight.

Brackley scored a goal in either half as they beat Oxford City 2-0.

Matthew Bates didn’t want to be negative despite his Hartlepool side going down 5-0 to Middlesbrough. £15m man Britt Assombalonga’s hat-trick was the highlight.

Concord Rangers had an afternoon to forget, going down 3-0 to Dorking Wanderers.

Two first half-goals were enough for Slough Town to beat Hartley Wintley.

Boreham Wood played out a goalless draw against AFC Wimbeldon – a goalless draw too for Braintree against Chelmsford.

Where next?

Bates Focused On Good Start After Boro Beating Despite shipping five goals to the Championship side, Matthew Bates isn’t worried ahead of next week’s opener against Maidstone, writes Tom Scott.
Wood Are Back On Track As Daggers Opener Looms Luke Garrard said it was important Boreham Wood buried their 3-0 defeat to Slough Town on Tuesday.

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