Saturday 15 July 2017

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY RANDOM ROUND-UP WITH A NOD TO THE BOSTIK PREMIER

The pre-season friendly campaign really got under way today with many teams in action today. The new look Billericay Town played their first game at Vanarama South side St Albans City who included ex Enfield Towner's Percy Kiangebani (started) and Harold Joseph (on the bench) along with Flo Bojaj who is an ex Albanian u17 international who was on the books of Huddersfield Town last season where he spent time on loan at Kilmarnock and Newport County. Louie Theopanous, Charlie Cole (signed from Essex Senior League side Sawbridgeworth Town) and Sam Deering earned the Essex side a 2-3 victory. 

Another side with a new look to it is Enfield Town who took to the field under new boss Andy Leese for the first time. A mixture of new signings and trialists scored six goals at Spartan South Midlands League Division Two side Amersham Town. The only player left from the end of last season starting the game (Captain Mark Kirby was unavailable) was Micky Parcell and he scored along with Ryan Blake (ex Chesham United) and Harley Haag (signed from SSML side St Margaretsbury) - three trialists were also on target for The Towners. 

Kingstonian came back from 2-0 down to record a 2-2 draw at Bostik South side VCD Athletic. Lewis Taylor and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe got the goals which came with 10 minutes to go and then in the 89th minute from the penalty spot. 

Tonbridge Angels who I think will do very well in the league this season won 1-3 at Thamesmead Town thanks to goals from Alex Akrofi, Dan Thompson and Andre McCollin. 

Elsewhere Vanarama National Division favourite's Tranmere Rovers ran out 0-11 winners at North West Counties League Division One side Cammell Laird - Ritchie Sutton, James Alabi (5), Elliot Rokka, Andy Cook, Jay Harris made it 0-9 at half time! With eleven changes made at half time Micky Mellon's side scored twice more through Adam Dawson and Andy Mangan. Alabi was born in South London but came through the youth ranks of Stoke City and Celtic - he scored 23 times in 58 apperances for Chester from early 2016 to the end of the 16/17 campaign - To score that many goals for a struggling side in the Vanarama National (Chester finished in 17th and 19th during his stay ) the 22 year old could be a real star of the season moving to a side expected to feature in the title race  - Could he be a good bet for the league's top scorer? 

Another Vanarama National side in Maidstone United had a massive crowd of 4,101 crammed into The Gallagher Stadium to watch them face a youthful Crystal Palace side - who also including £4.25million signing Jordon Mutch from QPR two years ago in their line-up. Tyler Campbell (still on trial with Maidstone United) continued his good form coming on as a second half substitute and getting the ball in the net only for it to be ruled offside.

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