Tuesday's Pre-Season Friendly Round-Up

Tuesday evening saw quite a number of clubs from the Pitching In Southern Football League get their pre-season friendly action underway.

Premier Division Central clubs.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds got their pre-season action underway with a visit by a squad from League One MK Dons, who ran out 4-0 winners in front of a crowd of 862.

Basford United, switched from the Northern Premier League, went down to a 5-1 defeat at their Greenwich Avenue home to Vanarama National League neighbours Notts County.

The hosts took an early lead through Anthony Dwyer, but Rueben Rodrigues and an own goal from Mitchell Tait put County ahead at the break.

Debutant Macauley Langstaff added a third in the second period before defender Kyle Cameron looped a header home with 11 minutes remaining.

Cedwyn Scott added a fifth for the Magpies late on.

Another newcomer, Bedford Town, who won promotion as Division One Central champions last season, were also beaten at home by National League opponents in Barnet.

Goals from Nicke Kabamba, Ryan De Havilland, Ephron Mason-Clark and Daniel Powell from the penalty spot were the Barnet marksmen.

Stratford Town put up a decent showing at the Arden Garages Stadium before going down 2-1 to League One side Burton Albion.

New signing Davis Keillor-Dunn gave the Brewers a 26th minute lead and then Josh Hawker sent the Bards into the break all-square with a 40th minute equaliser.

But the visitors won it in the 82nd minute through Louis Moult.

Hednesford Town won 3-0 at Midland League side Heath Hayes.

After taking an early 5th minute lead through Carter Lycett, it wasn’t until the 81st minute that Riley O’Sullivan added the Pitmen’s second.

Cameron Ebbutt made it 3-0 in the 89th minute.

Barwell travelled to another Midland League outfit, Heather St Johns, and were held to a 0-0 draw.

A crowd of 680 saw Hitchin Town go down 3-0 at Top Field to League Two neighbours Stevenage.

Kane Smith, Jordan Roberts and Dan Sweeney were the Boro men on the mark.

St Ives Town welcomed former league rivals and now National League North side Peterborough Sports to Westwood Road.

And it was Jimmy Dean’s play-off winners who came through with a 3-0 win, courtesy of Mark Jones, Michael Gash and new signing from Kettering Town, Connor Kennedy.

Premier Division South clubs.

Metropolitan Police travelled to Combined Counties League side Abbey Rangers and edged a 3-2 win.

Swindon Supermarine won 3-0 at the Corinium Stadium against a Cirencester Town side who have been switched to the Division One Central.

Jamie Edge, Henry Spalding and an un-named triallist were the `Marine scorers.

Dorchester Town went down to a 1-0 defeat at the Avenue Stadium to ambitious Wessex League Premier side AFC Portchester.

And it was a 71st minute header from the visitors` coup summer signing, former Portsmouth and AFC Bournemouth star Brett Pittman, that proved decisive.

Weston-super-Mare came up against a strong team from League Two Exeter City, who ran in five goals without reply at the Optima Stadium.

A crowd of just under 700 saw forward Sam Nombe grab himself four of the five Grecian goals, with defender Alfie Pond bagging the other.

Merthyr Town versus Bristol Manor Farm at the Met Coaches Stadium could have been a fixture in this coming season’s Division One South before the Martyrs were reprieved from relegation.

And it was the new-look hosts who ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.

Merthyr led 1-0 at the break, thanks to a 20th minute Curtis Huston strike.

Then striker Lewis Powell grabbed a quickfire brace in the 48th and 49th minutes with Matthew Harris adding the other 4 minutes from time.

Hendon went down to a defeat by the same scoreline to National League neighbours Wealdstone on the new carpet at Silver Jubilee Park.

A brace from Tarryn Allarakhia and two for triallists accounted for the Stones goals.

Hanwell Town, switched from the Isthmian League after winning promotion from the South Central Division, started their pre-season in great fashion by hammering one of last season’s league rivals, Ashford Town (Middx), 9-1!

Dernell Wynter bagged a brace for the Toon, with George Nicholas, Sam Saunders, Adam Laaref, James Mansfield, Calum Duffy, Gareth Chendlik and a triallist accounting for the others.

Division One South clubs.

Four of the league newcomers were in action on Tuesday night.

Exmouth Town travelled to South West Peninsula League Premier Division South side Axminster Town and ran out 3-2 winners.

David Rowe, Levi Landricombe and new boy Dan Priest were the Tigers` scorers.

Tavistock AFC, who came up from the Toolstation Western League alongside Exmouth, also beat South West Peninsula League opposition in Liskeard Athletic.

A brace from Josh Parry and singles for Ben Cross and Teigan Rosenquest earned Tavi a 4-1 win.

Bashley, promoted back to the Southern League from the Wessex League, enjoyed a 6-1 win at Wessex One side Totton & Eling.

An Adam Grange hat-trick along with goals from Harry McGrath, Billy Lowes and Harry Bunce were the Bash marksmen.

Frome Town went one better at Western League Division One side Longwell Green, running in seven goals without reply.

Matt Smith and Ben Starr both bagged braces, with Luke Hopper, Alex Hallett and a triallist also on target for the visitors.

Paulton Rovers were on the wrong end of a 6-1 home defeat to Championship side Bristol City’s under-23 side.

Division One Central clubs.

Essex Senior League champions Walthamstow faced a tough test at Isthmian League Premier Division Haringey Borough, who ran out 4-0 winners.

A Tony Mendy brace and singles from Johnny Ashman and Georgios Aresti for Boro.

FC Romania, meanwhile, won 3-1 at Combined Counties League side Rayners Lane.