Concord Rangers 6 Dartford XI 1

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday 31st July 2013

The beachboys welcomed a Dartford XI to Aspect Arena this evening in their latest pre season fixture.   The first half was a very competitive and even affair with few chances but as the half wore on the home side started to assert their authority on their Conference Premier opponents and on 38 minutes took the lead when Hallett's header was headed off the line via the bar but Stokes was on hand to poke to ball over the line for 1-0.   The second half was totally dominated by the beachboys as they went further ahead on 53 minutes through Hallett from close range and then it was 3-0 on the hour from a great Hallett header.   Concord made some changes after this to give more of their squad some match time.   4-0 came on 77 minutes through Osborn after he capitalised on some defensive lapses to lob the ball over the keeper and it was 5-0 on 82 minutes from the penalty spot, which was scored by defender Glozier.   Dartford did pull a goal back on 85 minutes after a goalmouth scramble but Concord completed the scoring right on full time with a great strike from the edge of the box by Osifwu.  It was another complete performance from the home side who must be taking great confidence from this pre season.

Billericay Town 0 Bishops Stortford 4

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 30th July 2013

New Lodge played host to Billericay's final pre season match at home to Conference South Bishops Stortford.  The first fifteen minutes were pretty much quiet on the chances front but then Stortford won a penalty on 16 minutes after Kyle Asante was brought down in the box.   Reece Prestedge took the penalty and after this was saved by home stopper Andy Young the rebound fell to Kyle Asante who smashed home via Young's leg for a 1-0 lead.   On 23 minutes it was 2-0 when after a goalmouth scramble Reece Prestedge smacked home the loose ball from inside the six yard box.  Billericay had a chance when Glenn Poole headed a cross against the bar and that was as good as it got for the home side as on 39 minutes controversy as a 50/50 ariel tussle in the box resulted in the referee pointing to the spot to the dismay of the home side.  Prestedge made no mistake with this spot kick and duly made it 3-0.   Billericay came out in the second half and created two really good chances, Glenn Poole spurning one of them and the other falling to David Collis but both were hit over the bar when it would have been easier to score.   Stortford wrapped up the scoring on 80 minutes when Kyle Vassell went clean through and slotted past Young to make it a emphatic scoreline of 4-0.  So the blues were well beaten at home by a decent Stortford side.

Berkhamsted 4 Southend Manor 1

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 27th July 2013

This was Manor's second official pre season friendly as they continue to build towards the start of the league season in two weeks time.  Manor started very slowly however and were soon under pressure from the Hertfordshire outfit and they hit the inside of the post after two minutes as they dominated the opening period.   Manor did have a sight of goal soon after though when a ball over the defence was latched onto by forward Luke Sands but his long range dipping effort was easy for the keeper to catch.  Berkhamsted continued to knock on the Manor back four and after 26 minutes took a deserved lead when Caulker lost his marker to head past Priddle for 1-0.  Six minutes later it was 2-0.  Caulker received the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot across Priddle into the far corner and this is how it remained until the half was Berko 2-0 up and in total command it has to be said.   Manor came out more positive in the second half and started to get more and more into the game.   They got a goal back on 63 minutes after a good spell of possession.  Barv ran and ran and ran until he found himself inside the box and with three defenders around him he managed to squeeze the ball across the six yard box and Luke Sands was there to tap into the unguarded net for 2-1. GAME ON!!!  Or so we thought as two minutes later Berko restored their two goal cushion.   The home sides best player by far Caulker got down the wing and knocked the ball across the six yard box where Mead smashed home.   Manor should of reduced the deficit later on after a lovely move the ball eventually broke to Rhys Fatt but his effort sailed over the bar.   Priddle made a couple of good saves to keep the scoreline down but with three minutes left he could do nothing about Berko's fourth goal as Jalle chested the ball down about 20 yards out and let fly with an absolute thunderbolt of a shot with went right in the top corner via the bar for a great goal.   So Manor showed more positive play in the second half but there is plenty of work to do before the season starts in two weeks time.