Tuesday`s Pre-Season Friendly Round-Up

A look at some of the games involving clubs in the Pitching In Southern Football League.

Premier Division Central

Coalville Town`s latest pre-season encounter saw them entertain Vanarama National League North side Kettering Town at the Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium.

And the Ravens took an early lead, courtesy of Billy Kee, who saw his penalty saved by Poppies` new goalkeeper Rhys Davies, but he managed to slot in the rebound.

The visitors equalised through an unfortunate own goal by Coalville keeper Saul Deeney and Kettering then led 2-1 at half-time.

After the Poppies had made it 3-1, Kee netted his second for the hosts, only for a fourth to be conceded near the end.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds enjoyed a good 3-1 win against League Two neighbours Northampton Town in a game played at Wellingborough Town`s Dog & Duck – Diamonds` former home.

After a minute`s silence in remembrance of former Rushden & Diamonds owner Max Griggs, who passed away recently, the crowd of 690 saw Ben Diamond head the hosts in front.

Tom Lorraine doubled the Diamonds lead to make it 2-0 at the break and an own goal saw them extend their advantage before the Cobblers scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Rushall Olympic were another side to enjoy a good win against higher league opposition as they beat National League North side AFC Telford United 2-1 at Dales Lane.

A fine finish from Simeon Cobourne and a header from skipper Richard Batchelor saw the Pics to victory.

And Stratford Town continued the evening`s trend of beating opponents from the National League North in winning 3-2 against Kidderminster Harriers at the Arden Garages Stadium.

The home side led through Will Grocutt after 9 minutes and then Harriers led 2-1 with goals from Ashley Hemmings after 55 minutes and Sam Austin on 71 minutes.

But Mitch Glover levelled from the spot 10 minutes from time and 6 minutes later, Bailey Fuller won it for the hosts.

Banbury United, however, were beaten 3-1 at the Plant Hire Community Stadium by National League South side Oxford City.

It was that man again, a triallist, who scored the Puritans goal that saw them lead 1-0 at half-time.

Hitchin Town had a good 4-0 win at Top Field against Premier Division South side Beaconsfield Town.

First half goals from Rio Dasilva and a Callum Stead double were added to in the 54th minute, when Alex Marsh added a fourth.

Tamworth welcomed the now-Northern Premier League Division One Midlands Halesowen Town to The CR MOT Community Stadium and shared a 1-1 draw.

After trailing at the break to a White effort, the Lambs equalised on 65 minutes through Henri Wilder.

Peterborough Sports ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at the Bee Arena against Halesowen`s new league rivals Cambridge City.

The Turbines led 4-0 at the break, thanks to Joey Nicholson with two, Michael Gash and Dan Jarvis – and Dan Lawlor also missed a penalty!

Jake Battersby scored the only goal of the second period to make it a nap hand.

A second half Adam Rooney penalty saw National League side Solihull Moors edge a 1-0 win at the War Memorial Athletic Ground against Stourbridge.

A Tom Turton penalty on the half-hour mark helped Alvechurch to a 1-1 draw at Midland League side AFC Wulfrunians.

Needham Market suffered a 3-1 loss at Ram Meadow against Isthmian League North neighbours Bury Town.

Andy Fennell gave the Marketmen the lead, but Cemal Ramadan, Baris Altintop and Jake Chambers Shaw ensured a home victory.

Lowestoft Town won 2-1 at Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division neighbours Kirkley & Pakefield at Walmer Road.

First half goals from Ryan Jarvis and Marcus Wilkinson proved enough for the Trawlerboys.

Redditch United`s promising pre-season was halted somewhat by a 4-1 defeat to National League North side Gloucester City at the Trico Stadium.

Dan Sweeney made it 1-1 after Matt McClure`s opener for the Tigers, but three second half goals by three triallists sealed City`s win.

Premier Division South

Hartley Wintney won 5-1 at Combined Counties League Premier Division South side Fleet Town to win the Hammond Moggach Memorial Shield.

Sam Argent with two, Kingsley Eshun, Jordan Edwards and Nathan Jones with the Row goals.

Farnborough won 2-0 at Fleet`s league rivals Cobham, while Metropolitan Police had a 2-0 win at another CCL South outfit, Molesey.

First half goals from Luke Robertson and Louis Birch proved enough for the visitors.

The Met also sent another senior side to Isthmian League South Central newcomers Binfield.

Liam Ferdinand opened the scoring against one of his former clubs after 10 minutes, but the home side turned it round to win 2-1.

Wimborne Town finished with ten-men in their 1-1 home draw with National League side Eastleigh.

The Spitfires` Ben Hill had cancelled out Aiden Shepherd`s 15th minute opener for the Magpies in the 73rd minute and then Regan Mason was sent-off for a reckless challenge 7 minutes from time.

A first half goal from Zac Smith was, in the end, all that separated Taunton Town from Division One South hosts Slimbridge at Thornhill Park.

Swindon Supermarine edged a nine-goal thriller at Alfredian Park against Division One Central hosts Wantage Town.

The visitors found themselves three-up by the 33rd minute through Zak Kotwica and Conor McDonagh with two.

Henry Spalding and new signing Frankie Artus added the `Marine second half goals, with Josh Tooke, a Josh Elms penalty, Jake Pemberton and Charlie Kille being the Freds` scorers.

Supermarine`s new league rivals, Kings Langley, were held to a 3-3 draw at Bell Close by Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division hosts Leighton Town.

Gary Connolly put Kings one-up but then Leighton raced into a 2-1 lead before Jack Wood made it 2-2

And then late on, there was a little piece of club history made when Harrison Mead, at only 15 years and 56 days old, became the youngest ever player for Kings Langley`s first team - and he scored the equaliser!

Harrow Borough suffered a worrying 5-1 Earlsmead defeat to Isthmian South Central side Hanwell Town, while Tiverton Town were also beaten by lower league opposition in Toolstation Western League Premier Division Exmouth Town.

A 55th minute Ben Steer goal won it for the hosts.

Better news for Merthyr Town as they continued their return to competitive action with a 3-2 win against fancied Division One South side Bristol Manor Farm at the Met Coaches Stadium.

An Ian Traylor brace, including a penalty for the hosts and Mike Bryant and Ben Bament for Farm saw the scores level at 2-2.

But a 61st minute Ismail Yakubu goal sealed it for the Martyrs.

Division One Central

Aylesbury United emphatically earned local bragging rights by winning what is known locally as `El Quackico` against Spartan South Midlands League neighbours Aylesbury Vale Dynamos at Haywood Way.

Max Hercules gave the Ducks an early lead which Ty Deacon doubled.

Hercules added his second and the visitors` third and Deacon matched him shortly afterwards, with Kuda Sangoya making it a nap hand by half-time!

Goals from Sangoya again and Jamie Jellis took the Ducks` tally to seven in the second period to earn a terrific win.

St Neots Town edged out Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Soham Town Rangers by the odd goal in five at the Premier Plus Stadium.

After leading through a Neo Richard-Noel goal, the Saints found themselves 2-1 down before second half goals from Joe Rider and Oli Yun turned it around in their favour.

It was the same scoreline at the ASM Stadium as Thame United beat a now-Spartan South Midlands League Ardley United side.

The Thame goals came from Lynton Goss with two and Ryan Blake.

Bedford Town secured a 4-1 win at a now-United Counties League Premier Division South Potton United.

Craig Mackail-Smith with a brace, Charley Sanders and Drew Richardson were the Eagles` marksmen.

Kidlington had a good 4-0 win at Hellenic League Premier Division side Shrivenham.

Tom Moore scored two of the Greens` goals.

Newcomers Harlow Town enjoyed a good 2-1 home win over Isthmian League Premier Division East Thurrock United, while fellow new boys Ware also won by the same scoreline at Wodson Park against Isthmian North side Grays Athletic with second half goals from Jason Hallett and Albert Adu.

Didcot Town were on the wrong end of a 5-0 home drubbing by much-fancied Isthmian South Central outfit Bracknell Town.

Division One South

A crowd of 545 at the Snows Stadium saw AFC Totton entertain an XI from Premier League neighbours Southampton.

It finished 3-1 to the visitors, with a Craig Feeney spot-kick accounting for the Stags goal.

National League South side Chippenham Town made the short journey to the Oakfield Stadium to take on Melksham Town.

And the Bluebirds ran out 2-0 winners, with Marlon Jackson and a triallist accounting for their goals.

Cinderford Town were emphatically hammered 6-1 at the Causeway by s strong League Two Newport County side.

Luke Payne with the Foresters consolation 12 minutes from time.

Sholing were edged out by the odd goal in five at former rivals and now Isthmian South Central outfit Basingstoke Town.

The Boatmen led 2-1 at half-time through Dan Mason and Dan Miller before `Stoke came back to take it 3-2.

Frome Town continued their impressive pre-season form with a 1-0 victory over Bradford Town at Badgers Hill.

A first half Matt Smith goal proved enough in the end.