Tuesday`s Pre-Season Friendly Review

Vanarama National League club Forest Green Rovers hit nine goals in their latest pre-season friendly at neighbouring Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side Brimscombe & Thrupp on Tuesday night.

Rovers manager Mark Cooper saw his team struggle to beat Slimbridge on Monday night, but this was a much improved performance as they hit six goals in the first half and added three more after the break.

It took just 6 minutes for Rovers to take the lead through Liam Noble, one of several new signings on show.

Elliott Frear made it two 10 minutes later, and after he was brought down by a Dan Hill in the box, Kieffer Moore stepped up to the penalty spot to send Lewis Skyers the wrong way.

And it was 3-0 in the 32nd minute as Keanu Marsh-Brown made a superb run deep into the Brimscombe half before finding Noble unmarked to fire in.

Brimscombe were the architects of their own downfall for the fifth Rovers goal 5 minutes before the break as Kyle Pitts' back-pass fell short and was seized on by Moore, who was able to lay it across for Christian Doidge to tap into a gaping net.

It was 6-0 a minute later as Noble threaded through a lovely pass that Rob Sinclair ran onto before sliding low past Skyers.

The home faithful were given something to cheer before the break though as Ben Snook got a nudge from behind by Marsh-Brown and Ollie Pitt stepped up to the spot and beat new keeper Sam Russell.

Forest Green took 8 minutes to get the scoring underway in the second half through Doidge.

And then Moore's shot was blocked by Tom Pass' hand for the third penalty of the night and Marsh-Brown stepped up to the spot and beat Skyers.

Forest Green scored their ninth in the 70th minute when Frear cut in from the right and then beat Skyers at his near post.

National League club York City lost 2-1 at Bootham Crescent to League Two side Doncaster Rovers.

Doncaster went ahead on 21 minutes with a well-worked goal. John Marquis and Andy Williams linked up well to set up Tommy Rowe in plenty of space, who fired home.

Scott Fenwick equalised for York on 32 minutes when Doncaster failed to clear their lines and the summer recruit was on hand to smash the ball home.

Doncaster went ahead for a second time on the night when Matty Blair scored his first goal for the club since joining from Mansfield with a 25-yard shot.

Daniel Nti almost equalised for the hosts when he forced Ross Etheridge into a good save.

York`s league rivals Aldershot Town enjoyed a good 2-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers at the EBB Stadium.

And ironically it was two former Chairboys in Scott Rendell and Matt McClure who scored inside the opening 10 minutes to eventually earn the Shots` win.

Will De Havilland netted a consolation goal with 2 minutes remaining but it was too little too late for Wycombe.

Boreham Wood continued their strong pre-season with a goalless draw at home to another League Two side Stevenage.

The home side had the best of the chances, never more so than when Ricky Shakes contrived to stab a low chance straight at Stevenage goalkeeper Jamie Jones at the end.

National League side Barrow AFC beat a youthful Accrington Stanley side 2-0 at the Furness Building Society Stadium.

Ross Hannah and Jordan Williams netted in the first half to hand the home team victory.

Lincoln City fought back from two down to secure a draw against League One Peterborough United.

The Imps were much improved following the drab showing in Saturday's County Cup defeat at Lincoln United, but still trailed 2-0 at the break after goals from Adil Nabi and former City triallist Jordan Nicholson.

But Lincoln completely dominated the second half and pulled a goal back through Jamie McCombe just before the hour-mark.

The Imps wasted a golden opportunity to level soon after when Matt Rhead's penalty was saved by veteran Posh keeper Mark Tyler.

But a superb strike from Jack Muldoon a couple of minutes later ensured the match ended all-square.

Tranmere Rovers shared a goalless draw at Prenton Park with now League Two side Blackpool.

Kyle Vassell`s effort for the Seasiders that struck the foot of the post after the break was the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

Fancied Eastleigh edged out League Two Barnet by the odd goal in five at the Silverlake Stadium.

The Spitfires led 2-0 courtesy of goals from Ayo Obileye after 27 minutes and Scott Wilson 3 minutes into the second half.

But the Bees came back with Joe Payne on 64 minutes and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro a minute from the end.

Eastleigh`s league rivals Dover Athletic enjoyed a fine 2-0 Crabble win against a strong League One Millwall outfit.

Second-half goals from Ricky Miller on 61minutes and Jamie Grimes 9 minutes from time condemned Millwall to their first pre-season defeat.

Dagenham & Redbridge were beaten 2-1 by League Two neighbours Leyton Orient at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

The Daggers got the first goal of the match as Oliver Hawkins scored from six-yards.

But Armand Gnanduillet equalised for the O’s just before half-time before Paul McCallum added the second in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Chester FC shared a 1-1 draw at the Weaver Stadium with Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Nantwich Town.

Veteran Steve Jones gave the Dabbers a 17th minute lead from 20 yards.

Chester equalised on 34 minutes with an 18-yard effort from Elliott Durrell.

Chester`s neighbours and league rivals Wrexham edged out National League North side AFC Telford United by the odd goal in five at the New Bucks Head.

The Dragons went three goals clear through Paul Rutherford and a Michael Bakare brace before strikes from Josh Wilson and Tom Peers reduced the arrears.

Southport were beaten 3-1 at home by League One Fleetwood Town.

A brace from Ashley Hunter and a Bobby Grant wonder strike from the halfway line ensured Fleetwood Town picked up a comfortable 3-1 victory at Southport on Tuesday night.

Ashley Hunter took just 2 minutes to open the scoring for the Cod Army and later added his second just shy of the half-hour mark.

Bobby Grant netted Fleetwood’s third on the hour-mark with a wonfder strike from the halfway line, catching the keeper off his line.

In the final 20 minutes, Southport netted a consolation, as Ross White bundled home Louis Almond’s free-kick.

Woking held League Two Luton Town to a 1-1 Kingfield draw.

Josh McQuoid fired the Hatters in front from the penalty spot after 25 minutes.

But the Cards fought back to level the scores in the 65th minute through new signing Charlie Carter.

Goals from Danny Whitaker and Chris Holroyd in the first half sealed a good 2-0 win for Macclesfield Town at the Moss Rose against League One Rochdale.

Newly-promoted North Ferriby United ran out comfortable 5-0 winners against Toolstation Northern Counties East League neighbours Winterton Rangers.

Ferriby took an early lead with an own goal and doubled their lead with a close-range goal from one of the triallists.

The third goal came on half-time from a second triallist.

The pick of the goals came in the second half from Curtis Bateson and Ryan Kendall.

Sutton United, who came up from the National League South, were beaten 2-1 at the Beveree by Hampton & Richmond Borough, newly-promoted to the division the U`s have just left.

Triallist striker Maxime Biamou headed U's in front just after the hour-mark, but Manny Williams equalised 6 minutes later and Nicke Kabamba scored the home team's late winner with virtually the last kick of the game.

Guiseley AFC were held to a 0-0 draw at Northern Counties East Leaguers Knaresborough Town.

National League South side Weston-super-Mare went down to a heavy 8-1 defeat by a rampant League Two Newport County.

A rapid start under a grey Somerset sky did the trick and the result, as goals by Sean Rigg, Mark Randall with two, Jennison Myrie-Williams and former Forest Green Rovers` favourite Jon Parkin were added to after the break by Joss Labadie and a Marlon Jackson double – Jake Mawford netting the Seagulls` consolation.

Weston`s league rivals Dartford lost 2-1 at Princes Park to League One neighbours Gillingham.

A defensive mix-up led to Dartford taking a 14th minute lead through Ryan Hayes.

Emmanuel Osadebe levelled the scores early in the second half and Joe Quigley put the Gills ahead – a lead they held.

Margate ran out 2-1 winners at Silver Jubilee Park against Ryman League Premier Division side Hendon.

Matt Johnson and Brett Johnson scored either side of half-time for the National League South side, with Karl Oliyide on target for the Greens.

Gosport Borough ran out 2-1 winners at Ryman Division One South side Godalming Town.

Bishop`s Stortford reached the semi-final of the Herts Charity Cup with a penalty shoot-out win at Royston Town, on Tuesday

Ryan Auger scored straight from kick-off to give the Blues the lead after just 4 seconds, but the hosts twice came from behind to send the game into a shoot-out following a 2-2 draw.

The Southern Division One Central side equalised 8 minutes before the break through Gary Cohen.

The Blues were back in front on the hour-mark through Ashley Taylor-Forbes, but 7 minutes later Ryan Ingrey pulled the Crows back on level terms.

But Stortford scored all four penalties as they extended their winning run to eighteen games in their last nineteen ties in the competition and are just one step away from a seventh straight final.

Last season`s National League South runners-up, Ebbsfleet United, beat Ryman Premier Division new boys Folkestone Invicta 3-2 at the Fullicks Stadium.

Invicta fell 2-0 behind inside 25 minutes as Sean Shields and most recent recruit Darren McQueen from Colchester made the most of their chances.

The hosts pulled a goal back through top scorer Ian Draycott with a finish from a good cross by the returning Ashley Miller.

Fleet seemed to have made the game totally safe with their third goal from McQueen in the 89th minute.

But sub Jon Pilbeam completed another excellent Invicta move to make it 3-2 in the closing seconds of normal time.

Wealdstone earned a 1-0 win at Wheatsheaf Park against Ryman Premier Division side Staines Town.

Danny Green scored the only goal of the game.

But the Stones` league rivals Maidenhead United suffered a 2-0 defeat at another Ryman Premier outfit, Wingate & Finchley.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when the impressive Luke Ifil slipping a pass for Tarum Dawkins to finish superbly across Lloyd Pentney.

Just 2 minutes later, with the momentum fully in Wingate's favour, a second arrived. Ryan Sellers drifted inside from out left before hitting a spectacular attempt over Pentney finding the far corner from 25 yards.

National League North new boys Salford City suffered a 5-1 defeat to a Manchester United XI at Moor Lane.

United fielded the likes of James Wilson and Tyler Blackett, but were held to 1-1 at the break after Wilson had opened the scoring after just 3 minutes which was cancelled out by a Ritchie Allen penalty on the 20-minute mark.

But second half goals from Tosin Kehinde, Demitri Mitchell and a Josh Harrop brace saw United to a comfortable win.

Another National League North newcomer, relegated Kidderminster Harriers, struck four goals against old rivals and now Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West side Hereford FC to clinch the first ever Steve Millington Memorial Cup with a 4-1 win at Aggborough.

Harriers struck twice after the hour-mark to take control of the game; first a well-worked goal seeing Arthur Gnahoua finish high into the top corner, and 2 minutes later Mani Dieseruve netting from close range.

The eventful clash threatened to turn back in Hereford's favour with around a quarter-hour left to play when an acrobatic John Mills finish went in off the underside of the bar; but Harriers quickly re-established their two-goal lead less than 2 minutes later when, having been fouled in the area, new signing Tyrell Waite stepped up and tucked home a penalty.

A triallist added Harriers` fourth near the end.

Altrincham, who came down with Harriers at the end of last season, secured a deserved draw against a strong Crewe Alexandra side at the J. Davidson Stadium.

The visitors had enjoyed a dominant spell midway through the first half when only a couple of fine stops by new keeper Andrew Dawber kept them out. But Alex got the breakthrough in the 32nd minute when James Jones nodded home a George Cooper ball played into the box.

Having rarely threatened, Alty nevertheless equalised less than 4 minutes later when James Lawrie's well-taken free-kick from 25 yards was firmly headed home by centre-back John Cyrus who arrived, unmarked, towards the back post.

National League North new boys FC Halifax Town kept their unbeaten pre-season record intact, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by NPL Premier Division side Matlock Town.

Jordan Burrow gave the Shaymen an early 3rd minute lead.

Ten minutes later Dwayne Wiley broke away on the wing, and picked out Marc Newsham with a low drilled cross. The big number nine scrambled it over the line and it was game on for the Gladiators.

Josh MacDonald restored the visitors` lead on 77 minutes, but the hosts earned a draw 4 minutes from time through Ryan King.

The Shaymen`s new league rivals Boston United won 3-1 at Southern Premier Division King`s Kynn Town.

Two goals in the opening 9 minutes from triallist Liam Adams and Lamin Colley gave the away side an early cushion.

Joe Maguire added the third in the opening half, connecting with Lewis Hilliard’s free-kick.

Pilgrims old boy Michael Clunan pulled a goal back for the Linnets from the spot with 15 minutes to go.

Curzon Ashton made the very short trip to NPL Premier Division neighbours Ashton United and the honours were shared.

Ashton took a 35th minute lead through Adam Morning.

The lead only lasted a couple of minutes as a long ball saw joint boss and keeper Paul Phillips coming off his line but mis-controlling the pass and the ball broke to Paul Ennis who fired into the empty net.

FC United of Manchester proved too strong for NPL First Division North side Mossley AFC at Seel Park.

The two division gap was evident throughout a largely one sided encounter. FC United passed the ball better and at a higher pace with the Lilywhites often left chasing shadows.

The Rebels opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute through former Burnley striker Jason Gilchrist.

And the visitors doubled the lead on 19 minutes. Nathan Lowe whipping home a left foot beauty from just outside the Mossley box which left Liam Flynn rooted to his line.

The lively Gilchrist scored his second of the night on 53 minutes with a smart shot into the top corner which substitute keeper Ross Heywood got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

Gilchrist completed the scoring with his hat-trick goal on the hour-mark from close range at the far post from a well struck right wing free kick.