Eighteen days and counting until the start of the new Vanarama National League season, where we kick off against Braintree Town. Let’s take a look at how the rest of the league is preparing for August 4th and how the latest preseason fixtures went.
Leatherhead welcomed Aldershot Town to the Fetcham Grove, just a short trip down the M25. The Shots manager Gary Waddock included seven trialists in his squad but it was Town striker Shamir Fenlon who stole the show bagging a brace, before goals from Matt McClure and household name Trialist C, who also created all three other goals. Aldershot faces Football League side Oxford United on Tuesday evening.
Solihull Moors fielded a strong team against Evesham United at the Jubilee Stadium, hoping for another preseason victory after beating Tamworth earlier on in the week. Six minutes in Tim Flowers’ men took an early lead courtesy of a Jermain Hylton penalty. The goals didn’t stop from then on as Evesham conceded another four with the match finishing 5-0. The Moors next game has been called off against Birmingham City on Wednesday evening due to ongoing drought at the ATG Stadium.
Ebbsfleet United ended of tour friendly against FC Ferreiras in Algarve, Portugal ended with a 4-2 win, Danny Kedwell and Chris Bush on the score sheet alongside Myles Weston who scored a brace for Fleet under the Portuguese sun.
In an annual preseason meeting at Victoria Park Hartlepool United came in touching distance of securing a remarkable win against Sunderland in front of a bumper crowd of 3734. Pools Niko Muir bagged midway through the first half and continued to attack but to no avail. The Black Cats scored in the final seconds of the game as substitute Ben Kimpioka helped secure a draw for the Mackems.
In what was to say the least a boring 0-0 draw, Sutton United and Woking played out a game of few chances and many substitutions.
In an uneven tie Boreham Wood welcomed Unai Emery’s Arsenal side for his first fixture in charge as Gunners boss. In a much anticipated and publicised tie, Emery named a strong side with big names; Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Mustafi, Ramsey ad Mkhitaryan to name a few. Within 17 minutes Aubamayang showed the quality of the Premier League outfit as he completed his hattrick and the game finished 8-0.
Courtesy of a Fulham own goal, Barnet sealed the win against a young Fulham side at the Hive, and in what a dull preseason was otherwise match.
Preston North End’s first visit to Mill Farm will be one to remember as the Lilywhites created over 20 attempts on the AFC Fylde goal. Defender Paul Huntington got the scoring underway 20 minutes in, opening up the floodgates until Dave Challinor’s Coasters scored from the penalty spot thanks to a Trialist with 3 minutes to go, with the match ending 6-1.
Read more posts by FC Halifax Town
;
