Tuesday`s Pre-Season Friendly Review

By Steve Whitney

Tuesday`s pre-season friendly round-up...

Vanarama National League newcomers North Ferriby United inflicted a 4-1 defeat on neighbours Grimsby Town, who won promotion back to the Football League via the Promotion Final at Wembley in May, on Tuesday night.

Ferriby more than matched the Mariners for much of the game and scored four well-worked goals

The breakthrough came after 26 minutes. Jermaine Ible’s clearance was flicked-on by Simon Russell to Connor Robinson. His pass allowed Curtis Bateson to take the ball on before firing past the advancing James McKeown.

Ferriby went two up after 35 minutes. Danny Clarke freed Robinson on the right and his perfectly flighted cross to the far post was headed home by Russell.

Ferriby expected a response from Grimsby after the interval and it came after 47 minutes when Luke Summerfield scored with a cross-shot from the left corner of the penalty area.

Ferriby got their third goal after 61 minutes. Steve Brogan wrong-footed a defender before scoring from 18 yards.

Three minutes later the game was over when Vinny Mukendi out-paced the defence before hitting the ball past the advancing keeper.

All-in-all it was a good start for new Ferriby boss Steve Housham.

Solihull Moors, who came up with Ferriby, were beaten 3-1 by a strong team from Championship neighbours Birmingham City.

In the first 45 minutes the Blues scored three times, Clayton Donaldson with two and Diego Fabbrini with the other.

However, they ‘lost’ the second period 1-0 as Charlie Morris marked his Solihull trial with a well-taken goal.

Jonny Margetts bagged a first half hat-trick as National League Lincoln City overpowered a much-changed National League North Boston United side.

Margetts struck after nine and 12 minutes before sealing his hat-trick from the spot 2 minutes before the break.

United were much-improved after the interval but they did not come closer than rattling the crossbar in the first half through Cameron Johnson.

Lincoln`s league rivals Bromley enjoyed a 2-1 win over League One neighbours Charlton Athletic.

George Porter gave the home side a 10th minute lead.

The second came just before the half-hour mark. Chris Solly was dispossessed by David Martin and then brought down Blair Turgott as he arrowed towards the box. It was a yellow card for the right-back. And his illegal attempt to stop the Bromley man was only temporary as he thumped home from over 25 yards from the resultant free-kick.

Brandon Hanlan’s spectacular volley gave the Addicks hope of salvaging a result but the South Londoners were unable to turn second half possession into further goals.

Bromley`s league rivals Guiseley AFC went down to a 2-0 Nethermoor defeat to Championship new boys Barnsley.

Despite having less of the ball, Guiseley created the first clear chance as veteran striker Michael Rankine fired just wide after capitalizing on a loose ball.

Barnsley opened the scoring midway through the half as Adam Hammill’s teasing ball was volleyed home by James Carvell from close range, who fired wide in search for a second soon after.

Barnsley doubled their lead 7 minutes into the second half as half-time replacements – both former non-League stars in Kayden Jackson and Stefan Payne - combined with the latter blasting home from the edge of the box.

Dover Athletic enjoyed a best-of-seven win against League One newcomers AFC Wimbledon.

Tom Elliott, Lyle Taylor and Dominic Poleon were on target for AFC Wimbledon.

However, an impressive Dover side responded after being one-down with second half goals from Ira Jackson Junior, Jordan Chiedozie, Tyrone Marsh and then Mark Donniger turned the game in the Whites` favour.

National League new boys Dagenham & Redbridge lost their first game of the pre-season with a 3-2 defeat to Ryman League Division One North side Ware.

A young Daggers side started the game very brightly.

However, as they half went on Ware grew in confidence and took control of the half. Murat Karagul scored a powerful header before new striker Brian Haule added a second just before half-time.

Matthew Ling chipped in the ball after a perfectly weighted through ball to put the game back to 2-1.

It only looked like Daggers would draw level but on the 67th minute Haule headed into an empty net after good wing play by Justin Leavers.

Daggers were quick to respond in the 71st minute when Andy Ralph tucked it away after a deep cross from the right wing but the Daggers couldn’t find a third goal to level the game, with the game ending 3-2.

One of the Daggers` new league rivals, much-changed Southport, won 2-1 at Victory Park against National League North outfit Chorley.

The Sandgrounders took the lead on 31 minutes, Jamie Allen nudging home the second ball after Chorley had failed to clear a Gary Jones corner.

Marcus Carver drew Chorley level with a 54th-minute penalty, but summer signing John Cofie, the former Manchester United and Burnley forward, found the target in style with a fine lofted finish 5 minutes from time.

Another National League side, Torquay United, ran out 5-1 winners away at South West Peninsula League side Saltash United in their first match of pre-season.

The Gulls` goals came from Brett Williams, Sam Chaney, Dan Sparkes, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, and triallist Jamie Chamberlain.

Torquay`s league rivals from the other end of the country, Barrow AFC, edged out National League North hosts Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

The Bluebirds' new signing from Chester FC, Ross Hannah, scored from close range following a corner in the 54th minute for the only goal of the game.

National League South club Eastbourne Borough had to be content with a goalless draw at Southern Counties East League side Tunbridge Wells.

Boro dominated for the vast majority of the fixture, but the usual early pre-season mass changes disrupted the flow.

That said Wells were committed in their defence and chances were blocked as Boro looked to open their account.

Eastbourne`s league rivals Wealdstone lost 2-1 at home to League Two Leyton Orient.

Eddie Oshodi opened the scoring for Stones within 5 minutes as he scored from a David Hunt free-kick.

However, Orient equalised in the 26th minute through Jay Simpson as Gavin Massey supplied the assist.

The O’s made it two through Sandro Semedo as he hit home from the left-hand side of the pitch as Wealdstone failed to find the equaliser.

Another National League South outfit, Bath City, lost 1-0 at Twerton Park to League One newcomers Bristol Rovers.

James Clarke's 70th minute header settled the contest, which saw the Romans unable to take advantage of a handful of good positions before the break.

Welling United, relegated to the National League South, enjoyed a 7-1 romp against Southern Counties East League tenants Erith & Belvedere.

Jonte Smith, Bobby Devyne, Danny Waldren, Jordan Brown, Rickie Hayles, Ollie Sprague and a triallist were the Wings on target.

National League North outfit AFC Telford United saw Josh Wilson grab a brace and Danny Reynolds the other as they won 3-0 at Midland Leaguers AFC Wulfrunians.

The Bucks` league rivals Curzon Ashton started off pre-season with a goalless draw at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division Nantwich Town.

The highlight for Nash fans will have been the appearance of Ryan Watson - his first since injuring his cruciate knee ligaments over eighteen months ago.

Curzon`s new league rivals, new-look FC Halifax Town, recorded a 4-0 win against NPL First Division North side Mossley AFC in a late rearranged pre-season game.

Town were due to face Worksop Town but was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Richard Peniket made it three goals in two games with a header past the Mossley triallist keeper in the first half and Jake Hibbs made it 2-0 shortly afterwards after the keeper had parried Matty Kosylo’s shot.

It was two second half substitutes who scored in the second half Sharaz Khan with a tap into an empty net after rounding the keeper with just minutes remaining and there was still time for Elliott Harrison to round the night off with Town’s fourth.

National League North new boys Darlington 1883 strolled to a comfortable 5-0 victory in their latest pre-season friendly at Ebac Northern League side Billingham Synthonia.

Gary Brown gave Darlington an early lead on his return to the team having required fifteen stiches after suffering a facial injury in the first pre-season fixture.

That was the only goal of the first half.

A long-range strike from new boy Lewis Nightingale made it 2-0 early in the second period.

Lee Gaskell made it 3-0 with a neat finish after cutting in from the left, Adam Mitchell intercepted a loose pass in Synners’ defence before rifling home the fourth and Hardy headed the fifth, glancing home a Nightingale cross.

The Quakers` new league rivals Nuneaton Town enjoyed a good 1-0 win against League One Northampton Town.

A shaky time for the Northampton back four brought the only goal for the hosts, as Zander Diamond slipped in possession, allowing Colby Bishop to nick it away from him.

The forward slid the ball into new winger Shaquille McDonald, who finished neatly.

Another National League North side, AFC Fylde, were beaten 2-1 at home by League One Rochdale.

Triallist Nathan Eccleston and Ian Henderson were on the scoresheet for Dale.

And it was in the 66th minute that the home side halved the deficit when Jason Gilchrist finished well with a strike from inside the area.

The Coasters` league rivals Harrogate Town eased to a 3-0 win at Toolstation Northern Counties East Leaguers Knaresborough Town.

Chib Chilaka marked his return to Harrogate colours with the opener with Dominic Knowles dispatching a penalty before triallist Jordan Robertson capped a lively display with a neat finish to make it 3-0.

Another National North side, Worcester City, shared a 1-1 draw at Southern Premier Division Stratford Town.

Promising striker Jordan Wilson, who was part of Shrewsbury Town’s youth team last season, was among a number of triallists making their first appearances for City.

But it was Wilson who grabbed the headlines when his 25-yard effort hit the back of the net to cancel out Trey Braithwaite’s opener.

Where next?

Ashton Moves to Iron Vanarama National League club Braintree Town have signed experienced centre-back Jon Ashton from Sky Bet League Two side Crawley Town.
Shots Sign Reynolds Aldershot Town have signed defender Callum Reynolds from Vanarama National League rivals Boreham Wood after a successful trial at the EBB Stadium.

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