Nearly Ready For Action! Tonight's Pre-season Preview

By Sam Elliott

It’s 12 days and counting! There hours are slipping by until the start of the new season and plenty of clubs are in action tonight as they aim to get things right for the 5th of August.

The Middlesex Cup is up for grabs this evening, delayed for the end of last season with Vanarama National League South rivals Hampton and Richmond and Wealdstone battling it out.

It’s not been short of controversy after the Beavers were allowed to remain in the competition despite playing an ineligible player in an early round so there’s added spice to the game at the Beveree.

AFC Hornchurch are the latest club to test Leyton Orient while Altrincham’s great pre-season form will come under the microscope against Wrexham.

Red Dragons manager Dean Keates has demanded more from his side and called the defeat to Nantwich on Saturday “not good enough”.

Ashton United will face an FC United of Manchester side themselves looking to get over a poor result on the weekend up at South Shields.

Brackley Town face AFC Rushden & Diamonds while Hendon are playing host to Ebbsfleet United.

Steve Evans brings his Mansfield Town team to Gainsborough Trinity, while Hartlepool want to get back to winning ways against Wigan Athletic.

Bishop’s Stortford, relegated last season, welcome Chelmsford City – can the Clarets make it 7 from 7 in pre-season?

Sevenoaks Town come up against Jay Suanders’ Maidstone United and Lancaster City are at home to Barrow.

It’s great value to seeDover Athletic vs Welling United at the Crabble with £5 all it costing to see the Whites against the Wings. Braintree Town face Barnet while it’s a trip to Cinderford Town for Weston-super-Mare.

Tamworth are off to Hednesford Town and Worcester City and Kidderminster Harriers meet after City’s troubled summer.

Woking are at home to Cambridge United and Horndean host Havant & Waterlooville. It should be a good game between Salford City and Bury.

Hinckley AFC hope for a good crowd tonight against Nuneaton Town while Tranmere Rovers take on Fleetwood Town at Prenton Park.

Where next?

Avenue Sign-Up Boshell Brothers Bradford Park Avenue have re-signed Nicky Boshell and registered brother Danny ahead of the start of the 2017/18 campaign.
League New Boys Transfer-List Midfielder Adam Mitchell has been transfer-listed by Spennymoor Town boss Jason Ainsley as he continues to tweak his squad ahead of the new season.

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Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South

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