Saturday`s Pre-Season Friendly Round-Up

A look at the games involving clubs in the Pitching In Southern Football League on a very hot afternoon.

Premier Division Central

AFC Rushden & Diamonds earned some early silverware at Kempston Rovers` Hillgrounds when they beat Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Cambridge City to win the Harry Robinson Trophy.

Diamonds had won all four games in the mini-competition and it was a late, 84th minute Tom Lorraine goal that sealed it in the end.

Peterborough Sports ran out excellent 4-1 winners against Vanarama National League South side Concord Rangers at the Bee Arena.

Dion Sembie-Ferris bagged a brace, with Lewis Hilliard and an un-named triallist scoring the Turbines` goals.

Coalville Town were beaten 2-0 at home by National League outfit Notts County, whose Damien McCrory and Kyle Bennett found the Ravens net.

Bromsgrove Sporting edged a 1-0 win at Midland League Premier Division side Romulus.

Jack Hallahan`s 3rd minute goal proving decisive.

Stratford Town had a hastily arranged game at home against United Counties League Premier Division North outfit Melton Town and won 2-0.

A 37th minute Will Grocutt opener was eventually doubled by Bailey Fuller in the final minute.

Leiston were another team to have their original game cancelled due to a Covid-related issue and swiftly arranged a game at the LTAA against an XI from League One Ipswich Town.

A 33rd minute Adam Mills goal for the hosts was cancelled out by the young Tractor Boys 19 minutes from time.

Andre Brown`s 75th minute effort proved enough in the searing heat to give Hednesford Town the verdict at Keys Park against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stafford Rangers.

Banbury United went down 1-0 at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium to National League North neighbours Brackley Town, for whom Lee Ndlovu netted the only goal 2 minutes after half-time in front of a crowd of 403.

Alvechurch welcomed National League South side Oxford City to Lye Meadow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous FA Cup tie between the sides.

And goals from Luke Yates and Dylan Barkers earned `Church a good 2-0 victory.

Nuneaton Borough couldn`t find a goal in their game at the Dovecote against Northern Premier League Division One Midlands newcomers Shepshed Dynamo which finished 0-0.

Rushall Olympic took on National League North outfit Leamington at Dales Lane.

And the Pics won 2-0 with two penalties, the first after just 19 seconds converted by Sam Whittall, and the second right at the end which Anthony Dwyer fired home.

Premier Division South

Metropolitan Police were convincing 8-0 winners at Combined Counties League Division One side Eversley & California.

Manager Gavin Macpherson fielded two different teams in each half.

The first half XI won 3-0 with goals from Ricky Johnson`s brace and Jack Mazzone.

The second half side were 5-0 winners with Shea Bennington-Mannings, Eli Nichols, Rudy Allen, Luke Robertson and Joe Rabbetts all finding the target.

Poole Town won 6-2 at The Simplyhealth City Ground against Division One South side Winchester City.

It`s the second successive friendly that the Dolphins have hit six goals.

Yate Town welcomed League Two neighbours Forest Green Rovers and were far from disgraced in going down 2-0.

Goals from Jordan Stevens after 19 minutes and Rob Edwards on the half-hour mark won it for Rovers.

Dorchester Town went nap against Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) Premier side Christchurch at the Avenue Stadium.

A brace from Sam Bayston and goals from Sam Davidson, Dylan Walker and an own goal gives the Magpies a comprehensive victory.

Swindon Supermarine went down to a 2-0 defeat at the Webbs Wood Stadium to National League North side Gloucester City, for whom veteran Paul Groves and Matt McClure were on the mark.

There was an amazing game at the Easy As HGV Stadium where Farnborough were beaten 7-5 by National League neighbours Aldershot Town!

The returning Nic Ciardini, Harry Cooksley and un-named triallists accounted for Boro`s nap hand.

Division One Central

Biggleswade FC enjoyed a 1-0 win at Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Ampthill Town.

An early 3rd minute Sam Johnson goal proved enough for the Greens in the end.

Berkhamsted entertained National League South neighbours Hemel Hempstead Town at Broadwater and it finished in a victory by the odd goal in five for the Tudors.

Alie Bangura and James Verney with the Berko goals.

North Leigh won 2-1 at Spartan South Midlands Leaguers Flackwell Heath.

Lance Williams after 39 minutes and Roger James just past the hour-mark were the Millers` on target.

St Neots Town edged out United Counties League Premier Division North side Deeping Rangers by the odd goal in seven.

Joe Sutton scored the winner for the Saints, who led 3-0 at one stage through Arel Amu with two and Aaron Smith.

New boys Colney Heath shared a 1-1 draw with Essex Senior Leaguers Stansted.

Another of the new teams, Waltham Abbey, won 3-0 at Colney Heath`s close neighbours, Spartan South Midlands outfit London Colney.

Tobi Coker, Tayo Oyebola and Rob Clark with the Abbots` goals.

Wantage Town won 2-1 at Combined Counties League Premier Division North side Virginia Water.

A Josh Elms penalty clinched it for the Freds 5 minutes after the break after a triallist had opened their account after 38 minutes.

AFC Dunstable were beaten 2-0 at Creasey Park by Premier Division Central side Royston Town.

Duncan Culley and a triallist were the Crows` on target.

Newcomers Harlow Town edged a best-of-five encounter at the Harlow Arena against Isthmian League North side Coggeshall Town.

Aylesbury United won 4-1 at Spartan South Midlands Leaguers Tring Athletic, who had two penalty misses.

Lee Stobbs and Max Hercules were amongst the Ducks scorers.

Division One South

Paulton Rovers were beaten 3-0 at Winterfield Road by the lively under-23 side from Championship neighbours Bristol City.

Bristol Manor Farm were involved in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Hellenic League Premier Division side Westfields.

Ben Bamment on 41 minutes, Jamie Bird on 80 minutes and Stuart Tovey 6 minutes later were the Farm marksmen.

AFC Totton enjoyed a terrific 1-0 win at the Ray Mac against Premier Division South hosts Salisbury.

A second half Brett Williams penalty was the difference between the teams in the end.

League new boys Lymington Town enjoyed a competitive 1-0 win against Wessex One side Totton & Eling.

Toby Bailey`s first half goal proved enough.

It was a disappointing afternoon for another of the newcomers, Plymouth Parkway, as they suffered a 4-0 loss at former Western League Premier Division rivals Mousehole.

Sholing lost 2-1 at Wessex Premier side Hamble.

Stuart Green with the Boatmen`s consolation after 53 minutes.