A round-up of pre-season friendly matches involving Football Conference clubs...
Blue Square Bet North club Worcester City completed their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Zamaretto League Premier Division neighbours and tenants Evesham United at St George`s Lane on Saturday.
Danny Glover, debutant Neil Cartwright and Mark Danks were on target for Carl Heeley's side, while Justin Nisbett struck for United.
Goals at the start and climax of the game from skipper Dave Rainford during his first 90 minutes of pre-season capped a morale-boosting three-goal victory at Park Lane as Blue Square Bet South club Chelmsford City wrapped-up their warm-up schedule in emphatic fashion.
Rainford found the back of the net on 4 and 90 minutes to delight Glenn Pennyfather, with Takumi Ake scoring in between, and City’s Head Coach announced: “It’s important to carry on our good habits because from next weekend it’s all about winning. I don’t think it was our best performance of pre-season though Dave Rainford showed concentration all the way through the game and scored two good goals.”
Other than substitutes Luke Hickey and Liam Bellamy, with experience at Kingstonian and Charlton Athletic respectively, plus ex-Billericay Town goal-getter Billy Bricknell up-front, it was an entirely recognisable set of players which looked to finish the practice games in a positive manner and Rainford got them off to a marvellous start.
Canvey had only just threatened to open the scoring themselves as their striker romped through only for goalkeeper James Pullen to block his toe poke. But, when Anthony Cook forced a corner kick on the right at the other end, this was whipped into the far post where Rainford manipulated the slight angle to convert with his head.
Jay Curran found himself with only Pullen to beat again shortly afterwards before shooting weakly straight at him though otherwise Chelmsford were displaying some fine touches as a number of players looked to cement a position in the starting eleven for the first Blue Square Bet South game at Basingstoke Town in seven days.
Right-back Ben Nunn then made a marauding run through the midfield and struck at goal for the Clarets, only for Canvey goalkeeper James Russell to collect while Pullen proved equal to a Rob King shot, producing a splendid save to claw back out when the midfielder’s effort seemed destined for the top corner.
Sam Higgins was hoping to add to his recent prolific form when he nodded a close-range header wide following a Nunn centre and he also hooked another strike off-target when a ball was delivered over his shoulder into the box. Marlon Patterson’s own free-kick on the edge of the area proved unsuccessful but City ended the half with a lead.
This was extended 9 minutes beyond the break. Substitute Ake belted his way down the left wing before cutting inside, beating a player and curling a wonderful shot with pace into the top corner. He then supplied another ball agonisingly across the face of goal in a purple patch for the new winger, who joined the Clarets two days earlier.
Bricknell and Rainford had also gone close though it was the latter who netted again at the death. Nunn’s quick throw-in fed Rob Edmans on the right and he helped it on to Rainford, who made his way into the box then tapped past Russell. “Now all the focus is on Saturday,” explained Pennyfather after the game. “We’ll have two good training sessions and I’m confident we will have prepared in the best fashion we possibly can.”
Kidderminster Harriers rounded off their pre-season programme with a 3-0 victory at Zamaretto League Premier Division Hednesford Town.
Harriers` boss Steve Burr felt it was a good workout for his side ahead of their opening Blue Square Bet Premier game at York City.
Harriers got off to a flying start when Chris McPhee pounced to put them ahead after only 12 seconds.
Lee Morris then doubled the lead 2 minutes before the interval.
Keith Briggs finished off a move at the far post 7 minutes from time to wrap up what was Harriers' sixth successive victory in their pre-season programme.
Blue Square Bet North title fancies Corby Town edned their pre-season with a narrow 2-1 win at Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Premier Division neighbours Raunds Town.
A mixed Steelmen outfit had a Ben Mackey brace to thank for victory, with the Shopmates` reply coming from the spot.
Blue Square Bet South side Woking ended their summer toils with a 2-1 Kingfield defeat by Conference Premier outfit Luton Town.
Luton took the lead just before half time with a simple, but well-executed, attack. The ball was fired in from the right flank and Kevin Gallen shot past Lenny Pidgeley from close range.
The visitors increased their lead shortly after the break. Pidgeley did well to block a shot but Adam Murray was on hand to blast the ball back past him into the net.
Four minutes later the Cards pulled a goal back – Toby Little’s low free kick cannoned off the far post to nestle in the side netting on the opposite side of the goal.
Principality Welsh Premier side Llanelli were missing seven regular first team players for their visit to Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Tamworth and crashed to a 5-0 defeat.
Ross Jones conceded a penalty midway through the first half and it was all downhill after that with only some fine saves by keeper Craig Richards keeping the scoreline down.
Blue Square Bet North hosts Alfreton Town fell to a first defeat in seven pre-season outings as Blue Square Bet Premier visitors Mansfield Town recovered from going behind after just 75 seconds to triumph.
In front of 844, Anthony Wilson stabbed the Reds ahead with the early goal but Mansfield were level on 26 when Adam Smith fired home with the aid of a post from 18 yards.
Half time home substitute Matt Wilson conceded a penalty just 20 seconds into the second half from which Keigan Parker netted to put the visitors ahead.
Paul Connor (pictured) added the third on 75 minutes with a neat 12 yard header.
Barrow earned an impressive 2-1 win over a Bolton Wanderers XI at Holker Street in front of a crowd of almost 600.
Barrow took the lead on 4 minutes when a 20-yard Mark Boyd free kick went under the wall and into the bottom corner.
A second Barrow goal didn`t arrive until 3 minutes after the hour-mark when triallist left-back Andrew Nicholas found Jason Walker, who smashed the ball home from the edge of the box.
The impressive Danny Ward pulled one back for Bolton, who fielded a side of reserve and academy players, on 68 minutes when the striker burst into the box and buried the ball across Alan Martin into the bottom corner.
Barrow`s new on-loan keeper Martin made a superb one-handed save soon after to deny Ward a second goal and keep the Bluebirds in a lead which they held until the end.
Blue Square Bet South side Braintree Town welcomed Ryman League Premier Division neighbours Billericay Town to Cressing Road for their penultimate pre-season match and shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw.
The Iron turned around ahead after a 30-yard effort from Brad Quinton broke the deadlock on 44 minutes.
The second half saw Billericay equalise when a a cross from the right flank was headed home by triallist Serge Makofo.
Evo-Stik Premier side FC Halifax Town suffered their first defeat of pre-season, but gave as good as they got during their 2-1 loss against Blue Square Bet Premier visitors Grimsby Town.
The Mariners found the back of the net midway through the first half after a long ball found Nathan Dixon, who in turn sent his strike partner Lee Peacock in on goal and the veteran front man calmly swept the ball home.
The Shaymen`s response was almost instantaneous though, as the lively Nathan Taylor latched onto a through-ball and he went on to beat keeper Kenny Arthur.
On 36 minutes Grimsby scored what proved to be the winner - new boy Rob Eagle played a perfect pass to Nathan Dixon, who confidently swept the ball past Jonathan Hedge from just inside the area to restore the visitors' lead.
Not too far away, Blue Square Bet North side Harrogate Town romped to a 5-1 win against Halifax`s new league rivals Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Stadium.
The hosts opened the scoring, but soon after Graeme Armstrong scored an equaliser. Playing against his former club, Aiden Savory put Town ahead on 17 minutes after good work from Armstrong and Martin Foster. The first half ended with Richard Pell heading home from Foster's corner kick.
Wayne Phillips provided the cross for Armstrong to head in his second goal of the afternoon on 68 minutes, before Phillips netted himself 2 minutes later.
Newport County will go into the Blue Square Bet Premier undefeated in eight pre-season games following a 1-1 draw against Blue Square Bet North Gloucester City.
The hosts' Darren Mullings scored after 16 minutes, but Giuseppe Sole levelled 10 minutes later at Whaddon Road.
