Tuesday`s Pre-Season Friendly Review

After an encouraging start to their pre-season campaign with a draw against Premiership Watford and an away win at Vanarama National League South side Gosport Borough at the weekend, National League club Woking welcomed League Two Leyton Orient to the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

The O`s fielded a strong first-team squad following their 2-0 defeat away at Dover Athletic last Saturday.

Woking generally held their own in the first half creating most of the few chances on offer.

Orient’s second half formation looked stronger and they eventually broke the deadlock with two well-taken goals from Dean Cox on 65 minutes and Paul McCallum 16 minutes from time.

Woking`s league rivals Lincoln City`s 100% pre-season record came to a halt at National League North Gainsborough Trinity after the Imps surrendered an early two-goal advantage.

Jonny Margetts' brace put the visitors two-up inside 7 minutes, only for Trinity to score three before half-time through Jacob Hazel and Liam Davis with a brace.

Matt Rhead equalised for Danny Cowley`s side early in the second half.

Zach Clough scored in the final minute, as League One Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Tranmere Rovers in a testimonial match for Warwick Rimmer.

Wanderers fell behind inside 6 minutes at Prenton Park, as Jay Harris' cross to the near post was headed beyond Mark Howard by Connor Jennings.

They levelled with 18 minutes to play as Dorian Dervite bundled the ball home from a Tom Walker free-kick, but Clough ensured the Trotters left with an away win by netting with an outstanding long-range effort in added time.

League new boys Dagenham & Redbridge convincingly won 5-0 win at Ryman League Division One North side Waltham Abbey.

The game saw Christian Assombalonga return to his old stomping ground and it didn’t take long for him to score the opening goal of the game - the striker finishing calmly after being played through from the edge of the area in the 8th minute.

The second goal of the game came after good work from Jakub Berkowicz who won the Daggers a corner in the 20th minute. Marvin Ekipeta netted from close range after a knock down in the area.

Minutes later Daggers made it three as their quick start to the game continued. Kier Dickson found himself through on goal after a lofted ball beat the backline. His first touch forced the centre-half to make a challenge but Dickson was too quick, and he stepped up to covert the penalty.

Amos Nasha made a quick impact having only come on minutes beforehand. The attacking player powerfully finished from the edge of the area after neat footwork allowed him space to shoot.

With 20 minutes to go, Victor scored the fifth and final goal for the Daggers, curling the ball into the far corner with his right foot.

York City, who came down with the Daggers, beat a Blackburn Rovers XI in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

New striker Scott Fenwick scored twice and Aidan Connolly grabbed the third as the Minstermen won 3-0 at Rovers’ Brockhall training ground.

Bromley fielded an experimental side for their visit to Greatness Park to play Southern Counties East Leaguers Sevenoaks Town.

Tom O’Connor put Bromley ahead on the half-hour mark.

Shortly after half-time, Adam Marsh equalised for the Oaks, flicking in a corner at the near post.

And a minute from time, the lively Blair Turgott embarked on a mazy run, and was fouled in the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot, and Adam Cunnington made no mistake.

Newly-promoted Solihull Moors shared a goalless draw at the New Bucks Head against National League North side AFC Telford United.

Maidstone United, who came up with Solihull, were held to a 2-2 draw at Southern Counties East League neighbours Ashford United.

And the Stones rescued the game in the final 9 minutes after the hosts had led through goals from Rory Hill after 16 minutes and Shaun Welford a minute later.

Alex Flisher on 81 and Tom Murphy on 88 minutes salvaged a draw.

Boreham Wood enjoyed an excellent 1-0 win against League Two Luton Town at Meadow Park.

The hosts scored the only goal of the game after 20 minutes through Kudus Oyenuga.

Despite huffing and puffing for the remainder, the Hatters, who had put nine past Bedford Town last weekend, never really threatened a leveller.

Guiseley AFC shared a 2-2 draw at Ewen Fields against a now Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North side Hyde United.

The Lions raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Oli Johnson and triallist Jordan Preston in the opening 45 minutes.

Hyde continued to work hard, and created a couple of half chances before the break resulting in a goal by one of their triallists.

Hyde equalised with 10 minutes to go - a cheeky back heal from Curtly Martin-Wyatt was saved but he was sharp enough to poke home the rebound.

Eastleigh ran out 5-1 winners against Southern Premier Division side Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Spitfires opened the scoring after just 3 minutes when triallist Luca Prelevic from New Zealand smashed the ball home from inside the box.

But just 3 minutes later Weymouth striker Stewart Yetton was brought down by goalkeeper Ryan Huddart after an under-hit back pass from defender Adam Dugdale.

Up stepped Chris Shephard to confidently convert the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Five minutes before the interval, Eastleigh’s Mikael Mandron stabbed the ball into the bottom corner to re-claim the advantage for the Spitfires and Yemi Odubade then converted from the spot to add a third.

As the hosts made changes, Eastleigh’s Jack Smith and James Constable also got their names on the scoresheet late on.

Southport suffered a 1-0 defeat at NPL Premier Division Ashton United`s Hurst Cross.

Scott Metcalfe netted the deciding goal on 77 minutes, rifling an unstoppable drive past the dive Port `keeper Ryan Crump from just inside the area to give the home team a deserved victory.

Wrexham claimed a 1-0 win over League One outfit Bury in a behind closed doors pre-season friendly on Tuesday afternoon.

Triallist defender Jordan Evans, who began his career at Wrexham before joining Fulham at the age of 15, did his chances no harm as he came off the bench to make an immediate impact with the only goal of the game at the Shakers’ new Carrington training ground facility.

Northern Premier League Premier Division side Rushall Olympic deservedly shared a 1-1 Dales Lane draw with National League North visitors Nuneaton Town.

The deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when David Moli found far too much room in the Pics box to advance with a bouncing ball and lift over Jose Veiga and in off the bar on 57 minutes - a superb finish from the Boro man.

However, the Pics did grab a last-ditch equaliser which their play fully merited as Luke Delaney’s corner was won by Mo Diop at the far post and knocked into the net by Sam Whittall.

Nuneaton`s new league rivals Kidderminster Harriers were beaten by Championship new boys Burton Albion at Aggborough.

Within 6 minutes Burton had stormed into a lead, Marcus Harness pouncing on a lapse in defence by the hosts before slotting the ball beyond his fellow Brewer, Harriers loanee Sam Hornby in goal.

And on the hour-mark Burton won a penalty after Hornby had adjudged to have fouled Tom Naylor at the by-line amongst a cluster of bodies; Harness again did the honours as he finished from 12 yards.

Liam Adams scored a stunning goal as Boston United and newly-promoted League Two side Grimsby Town fought out an entertaining stalemate at The Jakemans Stadium.

The former Nottingham Forest youngster handed the Pilgrims a 15th minute lead, which was eventually cancelled out 18 minutes after the break by Dominic Vose.

Respective managers Dennis Greene and Paul Hurst utilised the game to give valuable minutes to a variety of players.

Paul Ennis secured a draw for Curzon Ashton at Hallmark Security Leaguers Atherton Collieries with a 90th minute strike.

New signing Ennis was on hand to tap home for his second goal in as many friendlies to ensure that the game finished 1-1.

Colls had taken the lead in the first half and held that advantage until the dying stages of the game.

FC Halifax Town beat League One Sheffield United 2-0 on former Shaymen boss Chris Wilder’s first return to The Shay as manager since leaving in 2008.

Substitutes Connor Hughes and Richard Peniket netted in the final quarter of the game to seal a win the hosts deserved after a hard-working display that blunted the Blades.

Chances were few and far between as Alfreton Town and League Two Notts County shared a goalless draw at the Impact Arena.

However, County had the chance to win the game in the dying seconds when they were awarded a penalty after Genaro Snijders was brought down in the box by `keeper Fabian Speiss.

But Izale McLeod smashed the spot-kick against the crossbar.

French triallist Jean-Yves Koue Niate scored in his first game for Gloucester City in their friendly at Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West side Evesham United.

The former Cannes centre-back headed in an equaliser in the 42nd minute to cancel out Evesham's 2nd minute opener from summer signing Paul Fahy.

National League North newcomers Darlington 1883 beat Sunderland`s under-21`s 2-0 at the Northern Echo Arena on Tuesday evening.

Kevin Burgess headed the hosts in front after just 3 minutes before Nathan Cartman’s goal on 25 minutes proved enough to seal victory for the Quakers.

Altrincham, relegated from the National League, had to be content with a 1-1 draw at NPL First Division North neighbours Trafford.

The hosts took a 9th minute lead when former Robins' striker, Aaron Burns lashed home a fine shot from Kingsley Williams's pass.

Alty levelled with an excellent free-kick from just outside the box, taken by Billy Hasler-Cregg in the 32nd minute, following a foul on Damian Reeves.

Two second half goals from Southern Premier Division Redditch United ended Worcester City's defence of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup.

Danico Johnson opens the scoring with a thumping strike past Raajan Gill on the hour-mark.

Redditch make it 2-0 on 72 minutes thanks to a close range header from full-back Javea Roberts.

Harrogate Town continued their run of good form with a 1-0 win at Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Garforth Town.

The only goal of the game arrived after 38 minutes when Andy Gascoigne’s powerful run was halted in the area by the home defence, only for the ball to run to Chib Chilaka, who shot past Paul Hagreen.

AFC Fylde won 5-1 at Hallmark Security Leaguers Runcorn Town with goals from Danny Rowe with a brace, Jordan Wynne, James Hardy and Dominic Collins.

National League South club Dartford went down 3-0 at home to League One Millwall in their latest pre-season friendly at Princes Park.

Millwall`s goals came from Fred Onyedinma and Aiden O'Brien in the first half and Jamie Philpot in the second.

Two goals from triallist Marcel Barrington helped Margate to a 2-0 victory over Ryman Division One South side Faversham Town at Hartsdown Park.

The former Leicester City and Stoke City striker enhanced his profile with a further brace taking his pre-season tally with Margate to 5 goals.

Faversham set out to attack Margate and their game plan worked having restricted Nikki Bull’s side to limited chances on a hot evening on the Kent coast.

A Nat Pinney first half goal was enough for Eastbourne Borough in a lively encounter at The Pilot Filed against another Ryman Division One South side, Hastings United.

Both sides provided massed changes, but Boro ran out eventual winners with both Lewis Carey and Charlie Horlock producing some fine saves from a hard working United.

League One Gillingham came from behind to beat Concord Rangers.

A free header from a corner led to Concord taking an 18th minute lead through Steve King as the Beachboys looked bright early on.

Luke Norris levelled in the second half for the Gills as they improved after the break and former Concord youth player Billy Knott won it with a last minute penalty.

Bishop`s Stortford came from behind to win 3-2 at Ryman Division One North Great Wakering Rovers.

The hosts had already beaten Stortford`s new league rivals East Thurrock United this pre-season, but it was Gordon Boateng’s side who took a first half lead through Joe Benjamin.

Goals either side of the half-time break from Tony Jacobs and Adalberto Pinto saw the hosts grab the lead before an excellent 77th minute header from Mikel Suarez levelled things and the Blues grabbed a late winner through Bradley Woods Garness.

Welling United, relegated from the National League, ran out comfortable winners in beating Ryman Division One North side VCD Athletic 4-0.

However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic, with new keeper Chris Lewington pulling off some good saves to see the half-time score level at 0-0.

It was the second half that saw the Wings assert a dominance on the game.

New signing Harry Crawford putting Welling in front, Jonte Smith then scored an excellent second goal for the Wings.

Rickie Hayles made it 3-0 and young striker Josh Jackson rounded off the night with a fourth.

Bath City ran out 2-0 winners against Southern Division One South & West side Shortwood United.

Joe Salman broke the deadlock for City on 75 minutes, heading home an Andy Watkins cross, before Henry Spalding made it 2-0 in stoppage time, following up Josh Hutchinson's shot that had been blocked on the line.

Striker Sam Merson scored for St Albans City in a dour 1-1 draw with Southern Premier Division side Biggleswade Town at the Carlsberg Stadium.

Merson, who was only sent into action at half-time, scored City’s goal just a minute after Chris Marsh had broken the deadlock on 63 minutes.

Ebbsfleet United won 1-0 at Bayliss Avenue against Ryman Division One North side Thamesmead Town.

A late Bradley Bubb goal separated the sides as a well-organised Mead side had goalkeeper Tyler McCarthy to thank for shutting out the Fleet, especially in a first half of numerous chances.

Newly-promoted Hampton & Richmond Borough made the short journey to Imber Court to face Ryman Premier side Metropolitan Police and came away with a 1-1 draw.

Manny Williams opened the scoring with a stooping header after just 2 minutes.

Met Police were making the Beavers work in the sultry evening and they finally got an equaliser on 52 minutes, Tom Hickey finishing a neat move past keeper Billy Bishop.

The Beavers` new league rivals Maidenhead United made light work of Uhlsport Hellenic League neighbours Flackwell Heath, running out 5-0 winners.

Harry Pritchard helped himself to a hat-trick and Dave Tarpey a brace for the Magpies.

Wealdstone were shocked 3-2 at home by Southern Division One Central side Egham Town.

After the visitors raced into a first-minute lead, and Jonny Wright equalised on 27 minutes.

Wes Daly restored Egham`s lead, Sahr Kabba pulled the Stones level again 9 minutes from time, only for the Sarnies to re-gain the lead just a minute later.