Round-up: Saturday's Pre-Season Friendly Action

By Steve Whitney

Saturday saw many clubs in the Vanarama National Leagues play their opening pre-season friendly games.

New Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen saw his charges beat National League neighbours Guiseley AFC 5-1 at Nethermoor.

A brace from Irish international winger Stuart Dallas and forward Lee Erwin and one from Marcus Antonsson ensured that Leeds emerged as comfortable victors, with an un-named triallist netting the Lions' consolation.

Maidstone United were also hit for five at home by League Two Barnet. Fumnaya Shomotun, Justin Amaluzor, Alex Nicholls, Ryan Watson and Jean Louis Akpa Akpro were the Bees' marksmen.

Barrow AFC suffered a last-gasp defeat at the Furness Building Society Stadium to League One side Blackburn Rovers. Rovers first half side led 1-0 at half-time, courtesy of Craig Conway's goal.

Richie Bennett levelled for the hosts with 17 minutes to play, but Danny Graham popped up to win it for relegated Rovers with the last kick of the game.

Woking and Watford's under-23 side shared a 1-1 draw at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The breakthrough came on 36 minutes when Alex Jakubiak bundled the ball over the line for Watford.

However, the lead lasted just 30 seconds as former Crawley Town forward Bobson Bawling found the far corner with a fine finish to equalise.

Sutton United were beaten 1-0 at Gander Green Lane by League Two Coventry City – the U's FA Cup victims back in 1989.

Ironically, it was former Sutton favourite Max Biamou who scored the only goal of the game just four minutes from time in front of a crowd of 1,076.

Gateshead's new young forward, Macauley Langstaff, made it two goals in two friendlies as he helped The Heed claim a 3-2 victory over Scottish Premiership side Motherwell at the International Stadium.

Langstaff opened the scoring in the first half before a long-range Kieran Green effort and a deflected strike from Tom White put the home side 3-0 up going into the closing stages.

But two goals in stoppage time, including one from former Gateshead man Ryan Bowman, made the scoreline a little flattering for the Scottish side.

National League North side Bradford Park Avenue claimed the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy after beating League One neighbours Bradford City 3-0 at the Horsfall Stadium in front of an excellent crowd of 2,020.

A stunning strike from Nicky Clee was followed by a Nicky Wroe penalty and a third from Adam Boyes.

National North newcomers Spennymoor Town began their pre-season schedule with a comfortable win over Ebac Northern League side Billingham Town at Bedford Terrace.

Goals from Rob Ramshaw, Graeme Armstrong and a Mark Anderson brace put the gloss on a dominant performance from start to finish.

AFC Telford United's new boss Rob Edwards saw them win 4-0 against West Midlands (Regional) League side Haughmond FC in his first game in charge .

Elliott Durrell, Anthony Dwyer, Will Marsh and Matt Barnes-Homer were the Bucks' scorers.

Telford's league rivals Alfreton Town were beaten 2-1 by a strong team from Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.

Forest won, thanks to a double from Aaron Smith after Matt Johnson had given the Reds a 3rd minute lead from the spot.

Another newly-promoted National League North side, Leamington, were 7-0 winners at ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division Daventry Town.

Rob Thompson-Brown netted a hat-trick with Courtney Baker-Richardson bagging a brace, Stefan Moore and Kurtis Revan also on target.

And another promoted outfit, Blyth Spartans, shared a 1-1 draw at Northern Leaguers West Auckland Town.

Adam Wrightson netting in the first half for Spartans, Nathan Fisher with a penalty for the hosts.

North Ferriby United, relegated from the National League, suffered a 6-0 home defeat to League One Scunthorpe United.

Kyle Wootton with a brace, Connor Townsend, Jonathon Margetts, Noel Burdett and Cameron Burgess were the Iron scorers, although the outcome was a little harsh on the Villagers.

York City, who came down with Ferriby, were comfortable 4-1 victory against Evo-Stik League Premier newcomers Farsley Celtic at Throstle Nest.

Striker Jon Parkin twice added to an early Daniel Parslow header as the visitors led 3-1 at the break after James Walshaw's reply, with substitute Kaine Felix later claiming a fourth goal.

And the other relegated side, Southport, were beaten 3-1 at Hallmark Security Leaguers Bootle.

A Josh Hamilton brace and one from Daniel O'Connor saw the hosts come back from being a goal behind, scored by an un-named Port triallist.

Another National League North side in action were Boston United, who beat United Counties League neighbours Boston Town 3-0.

Tyrell Waite, Liam Adams and an own goal from Richard Ford proved the difference at the DWB Stadium.

Darlington FC were beaten 2-0 at Ebac Northern League First Division neighbours Shildon.

The game, which was organised as part of the David Ferguson transfer in January, was watched by a crowd of over 400, and saw Shildon win with a goal in each half by striker Adam Burnicle.

FC United of Manchester secured a fine 2-1 in Dublin against Bohemians. Scott Kay and Danny Brady were the Reds' scorers.

A goal from Jonathan Wafula earned new-look Gainsborough Trinity a 1-0 win at Evo-Stik South side Frickley Athletic.

Chorley lost 3-2 at Victory Park to League One Bolton Wanderers. Terry Gornell and Marcus Carver gave the Magpies a 2-0 lead but Chorley went down to ten-men just before half-time after Andy Teague was sent-off for his reaction to a challenge.

Stockport County won 3-0 at Cheshire Leaguers Lynotype Cheadle Heath Nomads. James Ball and a Darren Stephenson brace for County.

The derby between National League South side Oxford City and League One neighbours Oxford United was won by the latter 3-0 in front of a new Marsh Lane record attendance of 2,276.

Joe Rothwell, Kane Hemmings and Wes Thomas were the U`s on target.

National League South newcomers Braintree Town were 6-0 winners against Thurlow Nunn League side Long Melford and Bognor Regis Town, another new arrival, were 4-0 winners at Bostik League Premier side Worthing.

Ollie Pearce, Jimmy Wild, Doug Tuck and Ollie Rowe were the Rocks on target.

Havant & Waterlooville, who came up with Bognor, were on the wrong end of a 6-0 thrashing by a full-strength Portsmouth side. A Conor Chaplin hat-trick, plus goals from Kal Naismith, a Curtis Main penalty and a Lee Molyneaux own goal were the Pompey scorers.

Gloucester City, switched to the National South, were held to a 1-1 draw at Evo-Stik South West side Evesham United.

Matt Williams gave United the lead in the second half and the Tigers were level with 15 minutes to go through Ed Williams.

Dartford also shared a 1-1 draw, but it was with Championship new boys Millwall at Princes Park. Romaric Logan gave the Darts the lead after 31 minutes before Ben Thompson pulled the Lions level in the second half.

Wealdstone beat a Fulham XI 1-0 at Grosvenor Vale while St Albans City suffered a 4-1 Clarence Park defeat to League One Peterborough United.

Former Saint, Junior Morais, scored for Posh and ex-Dover Athletic marksman Ricky Miller bagged a brace after Shaun Lucien had given the home side a 28th minute lead.

Where next?

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