It's Friendly Fire! Tuesday Night's Pre Season Review

By Sam Elliott

There were plenty of National League pre-season games to choose from last night – along with plenty of goals for our sides, writes Tom Scott.

Barnet’s players got vital minutes under their belts against a QPR side that featured a number of first team players.

The Bees went down 3-0 but assistant manager Darren Currie said the game was a good learning experience and getting game time was more important.

Ian Evatt’s Barrow put in a solid display against League Two Carlisle – his side ran out 3-1 winners with a brace from Jack Hindle and a strike from a trialist.

Boreham Wood prepared well for their showpiece tie with Arsenal on Saturday by overcoming Hitchin 1-0.

A first half penalty from Morgan Ferrier was enough to see Luke Garrard’s pick up the win.

Bromley suffered a heavy defeat to Gillingham as they went down 5-1 at home. George Porter got the home sides only goal of the game in the first half.

The Ravens’ player/coach Alan Dunne was stretchered off midway through the second half.

FC Halifax were convincing winners away at Brighouse Town – the Shaymen won 7-1 with new signing Dayle Southwell opening the scoring.

The home side equalised soon after – that sparked Jamie Fullarton’s men into life.

Southwell got his second of the game before goals from Cameron King, Jordan Preston, Mekhi McLeod and a trialist netting twice to give AFC Halifax a big win.

Salford bounced back from their weekend defeat to Fleetwood Town by narrowly beating Nantwich Town 2-1.

Lois Maynard gave the Ammies the lead before they were pegged back late on. Substitute Jake Beesley secured the win in the last minute for Graham Alexander’s side.

Tim Flowers said he was happy with his Solihull side's 3-0 win over Tamworth at the Lamb. Danny Wright opened the scoring before Kwame Thomas added another before half-time.

Jamey Osbourne netted in the second half to wrap up a first win for the new Moors boss.

Harrogate Town got their pre-season campaign off to winning start with a comfortable 3-0 win over local side Knaresborough.

Dom Knowles opened the scoring before goals from two different trialists secured the victory.

Braintree were thumped by Colchester despite going in at the break only a goal down. The U’s named a strong side and eventually ran out 5-0 winners at Cressing Road.

Altrincham are preparing for life back in the National League North and they continued their fine pre-season form with a 4-2 win at Kidsgrove Athletic.

Alty’s number nine Jordan Hulme bagged a brace with Josh Hancock scoring from the penalty spot and Elliot Rokka slotting home after rounding the keeper.

Ashton United went down 3-1 at home to Oldham Athletic. John Sheridan’s side got three without reply before a trialist got one back from the spot for the Robins.

Brackley Town narrowly lost to Northampton Town. Last seasons’s FA Trophy winners held out for 54 minutes before conceding the only goal of the game.

Darlington beat League One Sunderland in a great result for the club. The Quakers beat a strong Sunderland side 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jordan Nicholson.

Guiseley came from behind against a Bradford City side full of first team names. The Bantams took the lead shortly after the break before Will Hatfield equalised.

A late goal from Scott Smith completed the turnaround for the the Lions.

Spennymoor Town hosted Middlesbrough who brought strong side across Tyneside. Patrick Bamford opened the scoring within the first two minutes before Britt Assombalonga added a second to inflict a 2-0 loss on Town.

Stockport County beat local side Stockport Town 6-0. Darren Stephenson, Sam Walker, Paul Turnbull, Matthew Warburton, Frank Mulhern and Nya Bell all on target for Jim Gannon’s men.

York City were without a number of first-team players due to injury but took the lead against Barnsley thanks to Jake Wrights strike in the first-half.

City held out for 17 minutes before Barnsley took control and ran out 7-1 winners in the end.

Three goals either side of the break saw Bath City secure a comfortable victory against Keynsham Town, pictured. Ryan Brunt scored a brace before Dan Ball put Bath three up before the break.

Second half goals from Frankie Artus, Adam Mann and Joe Raynes completed the rout after the interval.

Eastbourne Borough ran out easy 5-2 winners against Langney Wanderers thanks to goals from Sergio Torres, Lloyd Dawes, Michael West, Tyler Pearson and a trialist.

St Albans went down 3-1 to Stevenage at Clarence Park. Stevenage took the lead early on and were pegged back shortly after the break thanks to Zane Banton.

Torquay United’s new signing Samir Nabi was on the scoresheet as the Gulls lost 4-1 to Forest Green Rovers at Plainmoor.

The sides went in level at the break but three second half goals in 15 minutes secured the win for the away side.

Welling were comfortable winners against Whyteleafe. The Welling side – featuring a host of trialists – ran out 4-0 winners thanks to a goal from Bradley Goldberg, two goals from trialists and a calamitous own goal from Whyteleafe.

Woking hosted AFC Wimbledon for the much-anticipated testimonial of Cards legend Giuseppe Sole.

A crowd of nearly 700 turned up for Sole’s big night and watched the visitors go in 3-0 up at half-time.

The second half was a different story as Paul Hodges scored the only goal of the second period and the game ended 3-1.

Chelmsford City won 3-0 against Grays Atheltic with some exciting news coming shortly after the game for the Clarets’ fans.

Rhys Murphy was a trialist before the game and his goal must have been enough to convince
Rod Stringer he was the real deal – signing a contract immediately after the game.

Slough Town stepped up their preparations for the National League South – beating Met Police 4-2 at Arbour Park.

The Rebels beat the Met convincingly thanks to a brace from Lee Togwell, a debut goal from Bradley Clayton and Perry Coles rounding off a fine win.

PICTURE: SIMON HOWE

Where next?

Cards Boss Not Concerned As The Dons Show Sole Alan Dowson didn’t lose too much sleep last night after Woking’s first half white flag waving on Tuesday.
Wood Ready For Arsenal And Their Super Star Players Boreham Wood fans will get value for money when their side play Arsenal on Saturday - Unai Emery is set to name a strong line-up for his Arsenal bow at Meadow Lane, writes Tom Scott.

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