Tuesday's Pre-Season Friendly Round-Up

There was plenty of pre-season action for Pitching In Southern Football League clubs on Tuesday evening.

Premier Division Central

There is some early silverware in Needham Market’s boardroom after they retained the Suffolk Champions Charity Cup after beating Thurlow Nunn League side Ipswich Wanderers 3-1 on penalties at Bloomfields.

It finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Taylor Clark’s 28th-minute penalty for the Marketmen being cancelled out by Jacob Lay immediately after the break.

On 63 minutes, Needham Market were reduced to ten-men after a red card for Dan Morphew.

But once again, goalkeeper Marcus Garnham proved to be the Marketmen’s hero in a penalty shoot-out.

Nuneaton Borough also won a competition by claiming the Ron Bradbury Trophy against Midland League Division One neighbours Atherstone Town.

Shaquille Master gave Boro a 37th-minute lead that was cancelled out in first-half injury-time.

Kane Richards restored the home side’s lead 5 minutes into the second half and an unnamed triallist added a third in stoppage time to make it 3-1.

There was more disappointment for expectant AFC Rushden & Diamonds supporters as their side went down to a 4-1 defeat at Moulton College to United Counties League Premier Division North side Loughborough Students.

An 81st-minute penalty consolation from Connor Furlong was all the home side could muster in response.

Stratford Town were beaten 2-1 at the Arden Garages Stadium by a strong squad from League One Cheltenham Town.

The Bards led through a Will Dawes effort, but goals either side of the break from Dylan Barkers and Dan Nlundulu saw the Robins home.

Royston Town enjoyed a good 4-0 win at the Utilita Stadium against Division One Central hosts Welwyn Garden City.

Matt Bateman with a brace, Danny Newton and a triallist were the Crows on target.

Hednesford Town edged an entertaining best-of-seven-goal encounter against a squad from Premier League Aston Villa at Keys Park.

Sprinkled with some first-teamers, it was one of them, winger Anwar El Ghazi, who gave Villa a 13th-minute lead.

Another, youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, doubled the visitors` lad from the penalty spot 6 minutes later and then Frankie Ealing made it 3-0 on 36 minutes.

James McQuilkin reduced the deficit in the 70th minute and then Chay Tilt netted the Pitmen’s second just 2 minutes later.

Joe Cuff equalised with a free-kick on 83 minutes and the crowd of 824 saw Cuff completed a great comeback by the hosts with a winning goal with 2 minutes remaining.

Stourbridge took on newly promoted Northern Premier League Division One Midlands outfit Boldmere St Michaels at their Trevor Brown Memorial Ground and were 3-1 winners, thanks to goals from Reece Styche, Joe Hull and an unnamed triallist.

Barwell took on Premier League Leicester City’s under-23s at the UK Direct Flooring Stadium.

And an entertaining game finished all-square at 1-1 in front of a crowd of 402, with an unnamed triallist grabbing the Canaries` goal.

Ambitious Northern Premier Division One Midlands new boys Harborough Town beat Tamworth 2-1 at Northampton Road.

Eoin McKeown equalised for Any Peaks` side after 83 minutes, but the Lambs were beaten by a 90th minute Rhys Kelly effort after Paul Malone had given the hosts a first half lead.

Kings Langley were comfortable 4-0 winners at Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division hosts London Colney.

Alie Bangura with a brace, Noyan Tajbakhsh and a triallist were the Kings` scorers.

Newly promoted Bedford Town held last season’s play-off winners and now Vanarama National League North side Peterborough Sports to a 1-1 draw at The Eyrie.

A 27th minute Danny Setchell goal for the Eagles was cancelled out 7 minutes from time by an unnamed Turbines scorer.

Midland League Premier Division side Tividale hosted Bromsgrove Sporting, who edged a 2-1 win.

The experienced George Forsyth and then teenager Blake Kindred scored the Rouslers goals.

Rushall Olympic went down to a 3-1 defeat at Tividale’s league rivals Shifnal Town.

The hosts were ahead within the opening 2 minutes through Joe Thompson.

One of several triallists pulled the Pics level but Max Chinmenes and Harvey Lewis sealed the hosts` victory.

Newcomers Mickleover ran in eight goals without reply at United Counties League Division One Clipstone, while Basford United, who were switched from the Northern Premier League with Mickleover, shared a 2-2 draw with Midland League neighbours Long Eaton United.

Anthony Dwyer and Brad McGowan were the Basford scorers.

Coalville Town beat Northern Premier League Division One Midlands new boys Hinckley LR 3-1.

Tendai Chitiza, Luke Shaw and a triallist the Ravens` scorers.

Premier Division South

Newly promoted Winchester City were given a tough test as they travelled to National League South side Slough Town.

And it was the Step 2 outfit who came out on top, winning 2-0 with goals from Elliot Benyon and a triallist.

Swindon Supermarine held National League North side Gloucester City to a 1-1 draw at the Webbswood Stadium.

Henry Spalding equalised immediately after half-time for `Marine after Matt McClure had given the Tigers a 17th-minute lead.

Dorchester Town edged a 2-1 win at Wessex League Premier Division neighbours Portland United.

Oli Lowes out the home side in front 6 minutes into the second half.

It wasn’t until the 81st minute that Alfie Stanley pulled the visitors back on level terms.

And then an 89th minute Olly Balmer earned the Magpies victory.

North Leigh beat now Hellenic League side Wantage Town 3-0 with goals from Roger James, Aaron McCreadie and a triallist.

Another league newcomer, Hanwell Town, were beaten 4-2 at National League new boys Dorking Wanderers` Meadowbank.

Goals from Alfie Rutherford, Ryan Seager and a James McShane brace rounded off a clinical first half against a spirited Hanwell side, who pulled a couple of goals back in the second half from Mark Waters and Dernell Wynter.

Truro City were beaten 3-0 by League Two side Exeter City at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.

First-half goals from Sam Nombe and Josh Key put the Grecians in control before a triallist added a third late on.

Weston-super-Mare were 4-0 winners at Toolstation Western League side Bridgwater United.

The Seagulls scored through Marlon Jackson after 6 minutes, Dayle Grubb just after the half-hour mark, Ben Griffiths on 72 minutes and Elis Watts 11 minutes from time.

Reprieved Merthyr Town were beaten 2-0 at Cymru South side Llanelli Town.

Metropolitan Police beat Isthmian Premier Division neighbours Kingstonian 3-1 at Imber Court.

Herson Alves after 9 minutes and an Archy Taylor penalty 3 minutes later had the Met two-ahead before Stephane Bombelenga reduced the arrears immediately after half-time.

An unnamed triallist made it 3-1 on 64 minutes.

Division One Central

Premier Division South newcomers Bracknell Town sent out two teams to take on sides from Division One Central.

Goals from Adam Smith and Dave Pearce gave Thame United a 2-1 victory at The ASM Stadium

Another Bracknell XI won 1-0 at the Loop Meadow Stadium against Didcot Town.

Berkhamsted suffered a 5-0 Broadwater defeat by a strong squad from National League South neighbours Hemel Hempstead Town.

Ware were beaten 4-2 at Wodson Park by Premier Division South side Hendon.

Danny Williams, Isaac Galliford, Bobson Bawling and a triallist saw the Greens come back from a goal down to win 4-2.

AFC Dunstable secured a 2-0 success at Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

Kieran Hamilton and a triallist were the OD’s marksmen.

Newcomers Hadley won 2-1 at Combined Counties Leaguers Edgware & Kingsbury.

Hertford Town went down to a 2-1 defeat at Hertingfordbury Park to a strong National League South Chelmsford City squad.

Aylesbury United shared a 1-1 draw at Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division MK Irish, with that man, triallist, being the Ducks scorer.

Division One South

Willand Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Silver Street by South West Peninsula League Premier Division East side Teignmouth AFC.

Lewis Plackett and Cal Robinson on the scoresheet for the visitors, with Doug Camilo replying for the hosts.

League new boys Westbury United shared a 1-1 home draw with Wessex League Division One side Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Slimbridge were beaten 4-2 in a Severn Sport Shield tie with Hellenic League Division One West side Cheltenham Saracens at Longlevens` Saw Mills ground.

Stuart Midwinter opened the scoring for Sarries in the first half to give his side the lead at half-time.

Will Hawes levelled for Slimbridge before defender Harry Furniss diverted a corner in to restore Saracens’ lead.

An own-goal followed up by a fourth from James Barnes-Wills saw Saracens race to a 4-1 lead, before Hawes pulled a second back for the Swans.

Evesham United were beaten 3-1 at home by Southern Premier Division Central champions and now National League North side Banbury United.

Second half goals from Jack Stevens, Ben Acquaye and Henry Landers earned a win for the Puritans after Connor Jakeways had given the Robins a 20th minute lead.

Bristol Manor Farm shared a 2-2 draw away at Hellenic League Premier Division side Hereford Lads Club.

After trailing 1-0 at the break, a brace of penalties from Ben Bament ensured Farm shared the spoils.

AFC Totton were 3-0 winners against Wessex League neighbours Hythe & Dibden at the Snows Stadium.

A Scott Rendell brace, including a penalty, and Jireh Oyebamiji were the Stags on the mark.

Returnees Bishops Cleeve shared a 1-1 Kayte Lane draw with Midland League Premier Division side Worcester City.

Another league newcomer, Tavistock AFC, edged a 3-2 win against former Western League rivals Saltash United.

A Josh Grant penalty and strikes from new signing Alex Battle and Joe O’Connor sealed Tavi’s win, although they did have Cory Sargent sent-off for a last-man challenge.

Another Division One South returnee, Bashley, beat Premier Division South side Poole Town 3-1.

First Bash goals for Billy Lowes and Rafa Ramos with two – and the hosts even missed a second-half penalty.

It took late goals from Brett McGavin and Brandon Quinn to earn National League outfit Torquay United their 2-0 win at newly-promoted Exmouth Town.