It's Friendly Fire! Wednesday Night's Pre-Season Review

By Sam Elliott

There were a number of warm-up games played on Wednesday night are clubs gear up for the start of the new season.

A strong Chelsea U23 side wasn’t enough to faze Woking – Alan Downson’s side took the lead after 25 minutes through Duane Ofori-Acheampong and held on to secure a brilliant 1-0 win.

Chelsea pushed for an equaliser – hitting the bar and a chance being cleared off the line – and had a goal ruled out for offside.

But it was the Cards who ran out winners – Max Kretzschmar swung in a free-kick that was met by the head of Ofori-Acheampong to win it for the home side.

Truro City were minutes away from an upset of their own – the White Tigers were in front for most of the second half against Swansea City U23 – but conceded a penalty late on.

Louis Rooney put the home side in front on the stroke of half-time – and Lee Hodges’ men nearly held on – but in the dying embers, Swansea converted a spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Nuneaton Borough continued their decent pre-season form with a draw against League Two neighbours Port Vale.

Borough led at half-time thanks to Dior Angus’ goal midway into the first period. Port Vale then got a penalty after 62 minutes that was converted.

Vale completed the turnaround 13 minutes later through a brilliant goal from Louis Dodds – but the home side had the final say. Tommy Wright’s men squared the game up through Enoch Andoh ten minutes from time.

Hungerford played out a goal-fest with Oxford United – the Crusaders going down 3-2 after they looked to have nicked a draw late on.

Ian Herring’s men went in front after 37 minutes – Harvey Bradbury took advantage of a defensive mix-up and tapped into an empty net after some good pressing by the home side.

Three minutes after the break, the visitors levelled – before taking the lead after 75 minutes.

With the final whistle looming, Hungerford equalised courtesy of a goalkeeping error – a trialist finding the net four minutes from time.

The home fans thought that would’ve been that – but a penalty in the first minute of added time was converted by Cameron Norman and visitors stole a victory.

Chelmsford stole a win at the death from Dover – with the Clarets'second-half team being made up nearly entirely of trialists.

The game was end to end but was settled two minutes from time by a trialist – who poked home from a cross.

Charlton took a strong side to Dulwich Hamlet – and took the lead through Lyle Taylor after 15 first-half minutes.

Byron Lawrence’s equalised after 37 minutes to leave the game well poised at the break.

Charlton regained the lead through Jake Forster-Caskey – tapping home on the hour mark to win the game.

Solihull Moors recorded another pre-season win, along with another clean sheet. Tim Flowers said at the weekend that his side could cause problems for the bigger sides – and he was proved right.

They beat Birmingham City's under-23 sit 2-0 and Flowers was delighted with his team's energy levels.

Where next?

Spireites Name Their Skipper Ahead Of The New Season Martin Allen has taken to the Spireites’ website again – this time to announce the club’s new captain for the coming season.
Another Big Name For The Ammies As Rooney Joins National League Salford City have signed striker Adam Rooney from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen for an undisclosed fee.

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