Results Today (Saturday 31st July)

 In the only EFL Cup match played today:

AFC Bournemouth 5 Milton Keynes Dons 0

A good win for my Championship pick.

The first league match for all of my selections:

Exmouth Town 2 Clevedon Town 2

Points dropped at home but at least there is a point on the board now.

And in the friendly matches:

Brentford 0 West Ham United 1

Cheltenham Town 2 Walsall 0

Exeter City 0 Shrewsbury Town 2

Dorchester Town 2 Weymouth 5

Tiverton Town 5 Plymouth Parkway 3

Willand Rovers 10 Torrington 0

I will try and dig out some match reports tomorrow.

The Football Season Starts For Real

 I am pleased to see a reasonably full list of matches for today. There are still a lot of pre-season friendlies as it IS still JULY. Two of my teams, though, have REAL matches today.

Exmouth Town are starting their Western League Premier Division campaign as they welcome Clevedon Town to Southern Road. A good win could see them top the table as everyone starts the day on zero points.

AFC Bournemouth are starting their EFL Cup campaign with a match against Milton Keynes Dons and should be the first team through to the second round draw.

In the friendlies Brentford take on West Ham United, Cheltenham Town take on Walsall, Exeter City take on Shrewsbury Town, Weymouth travel to Dorchester Town, Tiverton are at home to Plymouth Parkway and Willand Rovers travel to Torridgeside.

I look forward to checking the results at the end of the day and bring on the football season proper.

Manchester United 2 Brentford 2

 

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 BRENTFORD 2

All square in friendly at Old Trafford

28 July 2021

Brentford FC

@BrentfordFC

Brentford came from behind twice to draw a pre-season friendly against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Shandon Baptiste scored Brentford’s first goal after United had taken a deserved early lead. The home side scored the third goal of the game, but Bryan Mbeumo came off the substitute’s bench to grab the fourth and final goal of the evening.

It was a well-contested game, that was lit up with four superb goals. The hosts had the better of the first half, particularly the opening exchanges, but Brentford responded well. They were well worth their second equaliser and probably did enough overall to claim a draw.

The home side took control of the early stages. Nemanja Matić and Andreas Pereira in the centre of midfield dictated the pace of play and provided enough defensive cover to allow full backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams to push forward. David Raya had to make an early save from a Jesse Lingard effort and most of the opening exchanges were played in Brentford territory.

Sergi Canós made an important defensive intervention to prevent Wan-Bissaka heading home at the far post and Ethan Pinnock blocked a Lingard shot. Raya was forced to save again after a loose pass from Vitaly Janelt enabled Lingard and Juan Mata to set up Mason Greenwood. The home side were dictating the tempo of the game and a goal was coming.

United eventually took the lead 12 minutes in. Anthony Elanga found a fraction of space in the penalty area to meet a Wan-Bissaka cross on the volley. He swivelled and shot in one motion and the ball fizzed past Raya and in to the net. Raya had no chance as the ball whistled in to the net and the home side had a deserved lead.

But that lead did not last that long. The hosts gave away a needless corner with a loose pass and failed to clear the cross from Canós after it was played short. Ivan Toney won the aerial challenge and Baptiste stepped on to the bouncing ball to lash a shot past Tom Heaton and in off the underside of the crossbar.

A damp Manchester evening had been lit up by two superb goals, Baptiste’s even better than the one it followed, and the game was all square 20 minutes in, even if it probably shouldn’t have been. United almost went back in front immediately. A Mata free kick was cleared by Charlie Goode but only as far as Greenwood. The shot whistled back towards the net, but Dominic Thompson made a vital block.

The second half of the first period was more even than the opening exchanges. The home probably still had the better of the contest but created fewer chances and failed to test Raya. Williams shot over the bar and a Lingard effort deflected wide.

The Bees also had chances of their own. United failed to properly deal with a Canós free kick and Haygarth tried to get on to the loose ball. He was crowded out and a Pinnock shot was blocked. Brentford went closer still towards the end of the half when Baptiste released Tariqe Fosu on the right, his ball fizzed across a wet surface and just eluded Toney, arriving unmarked.

The game was level at the break but not for long after the restart as the trend of each goal being better than the one before it continued. United broke and Lingard found space on the left, he cut inside and tested Raya with a low shot. The ball bounced up and Pinnock headed it away. That, however, only set up Pereira, who stepped on to the dropping ball and volleyed it powerfully back the way it back. The ball flew past Raya, smashed the underside of the crossbar and bounced in to the net. It was another wonderful goal in a game full of them and restored United’s lead.

Brentford probably had the upper hand at the start of the second half, despite conceding. Janelt and Baptiste saw more of the ball and The Bees were a little further forward out of possession, which made it tougher for United to play out. Brentford could have scored at the start of the half when Fosu won possession and released Toney in the inside right channel. Toney drilled a ball across and Canós was unable to convert it. The cross was just a bit too high and firm, otherwise Canós was heading in from close range.

There were fewer chances in the second half than the first and it was a more even contest. Brentford arguably, were better in possession than their hosts, moving the ball up the pitch quickly when they could and generally efficiently. They almost handed United a third goal when Raya and Mads Bech Sørensen played themselves in to trouble. Raya passed it straight to Lingard, but he could only shoot over from the inside right channel.

Canós had a shot saved before Mbeumo levelled it with 12 minutes remaining. Fin Stevens played a ball down the right and Mbeumo skipped away from Diogo Dalot. The attacker cut in off the right and bent a shot with his left foot out of the reach of Heaton and in to the far corner.

That goal came just after a full suite of substitutions and by the time the game came to a close, Brentford had changed all ten outfield players while United had used seven from their bench. The game ended with Brentford in control, stroking the ball around on a slick surface and looking like the team most likely to win the game. Mbeumo lined up a free kick from the edge of the penalty area but saw it deflect wide and the game finished level.

Manchester United: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Mengi, Tuanzebe, Williams (sub Dalot h/t); Matić (sub Van de Beek 75 mins), Pereira (sub Garner 61 mins); Greenwood (sub Hannibal 75 mins), Mata (sub Pellestri 61 mins), Lingard (sub Shoretire 75 mins); Elanga (sub James 61 mins)

Brentford: Raya; Roerslev (sub Stevens 75 mins), Goode (sub Racic 75 mins), Pinnock (sub Sørensen 61 mins), Thompson (sub Gordon 75 mins); Baptiste (sub Peart-Harris 75 mins), Janelt (sub Valencia 75 mins); Fosu (sub Mbeumo 61 mins), Haygarth (sub Onyeka 61 mins), Canós (sub Dervişoğlu 75 mins); Toney (sub Forss 75 mins)

Willand Rovers 3 Ivybridge Town 0

 This is ridiculous. Even my computer comes to a standstill when I try to type Willand.

The most extensive match report I can find is :

FT

@WillandRovers 3-0 #Ivybridge Town

HT 3-0

@Ivytownfc

If I look on the Willand Rovers website it tells me the time when the match WILL TAKE PLACE.

Apparently results only happen when the League Season starts.

Cirencester Town 0 Bath City 1

 

Frear strike sees City past Centurions

29 Jul 2021

An Elliott Frear goal and a first pre-season clean sheet saw City overcome Cirencester Town at The Corinium Stadium in this evening’s hastily arranged friendly. The game saw a first summer outing for keeper Ryan Clarke alongside a return to action for Omar Holness, after his injury against Exeter City. With several potential Bristol City loanees also in the starting line-up it took the Romans a while to settle during a fairly frenetic opening to the game. Cody Cooke sliced an early effort wide from close range and the home side gave City’s backline a couple of nervous moments. Both sides continued to produce some neat football on the excellent 3G pitch and on 37 minutes City took the lead. Frear showed great anticipation to intercept a Cirencester pass out of defence before advancing toward goal and unleashing a shot from 25 yards that found the net via the left hand post. Gabriel almost levelled the scores a minute later, heading narrowly wide from six yards out. The second half was a more scrappy affair than the first as both sides made a number of changes, although Alex Fletcher came close to doubling City’s lead with a curling shot shortly after the restart. Tom Smith saw a goalbound header deflected over the bar midway through the half, which was as close as City would come to adding to the scoring but, with their defence keeping the Centurions largely at bay, it meant Frear’s second goal in as many games for City was enough to secure the win.

Exmouth Town 1 Tiverton Town 0

 FT Exmouth 1-0 Tiverton

The hosts get the win thanks to their 53rd minute goal from Ben Steer. A huge thank you to

@ExmouthTown_FC

for hosting us this evening and we wish them all the best for the coming season.

Hereford 1 Cheltenham Town 8

 

Hereford FC v Cheltenham Town RECAP: Dan Crowley shines in second half as Robins smash eight past Bulls

Andy Williams and Alfie May both scored hat-tricks as Cheltenham Town thrashed 10-man Hereford FC 8-1 at Edgar Street in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer.

Former Birmingham City midfielder Dan Crowley went on at half-time and put in an impressive performance.

The 23-year-old former Arsenal prospect could become Cheltenham's third summer signing.

Alvechurch midfielder Dylan Barkers made his second appearance and a decision will now be made on him.

Liam Sercombe and 16-year-old defender Will Armitage were the other scorers, while Elliot Bonds made his comeback after a long injury absence, appearing for the first time since October last year for the final half an hour.

Williams took his pre-season goal tally to seven, while George Lloyd and Callum Ebanks both returned from groin injuries as second half substitutes.

Conor Thomas missed out with a calf injury, but Matty Blair returned after a Covid-enforced period of isolation. Ben Tozer did not play, but he has returned to training this week.

Cheltenham play Walsall at home on Saturday in their last warm-up game before the new League One campaign.

AFC Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 2

 

MATCH REPORT: BOURNEMOUTH 1 CHELSEA 2

• 27 JUL 2021, 09:19 PM
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The Blues came from behind to win an entertaining Tuesday evening pre-season encounter on the Dorset coast.

All the goals came in the second half. Having gone behind to a header from Emiliano Marcondes, Thomas Tuchel’s team responded quickly with goals by strikers Armando Broja and Ike Ugbo (pictured top), both second-half substitutions as many changes were made during the match, as is the norm at this time of year.

After two pre-season matches at training grounds – a 6-1 win against Peterborough, and a Chelsea vs Chelsea encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw – tonight there was a step-up in the preparations for 2021/22 when we faced the side that finished sixth in the Championship and are closer to the start of their season so further forward in their fitness programme.

It was a game also played in front of a healthy crowd inside Bournemouth’s stadium, including plenty of Chelsea fans in the visitors’ section. They were treated to a lively encounter played at a good pace.

BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 CHELSEA (A) | PRE-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of our pre-season friendly win away to Bournemouth.

Volume 90%

 

BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 CHELSEA (A) | PRE-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

It was Hakim Ziyech, starting the game in an attack centred on Tammy Abraham and also containing Christian Pulisic, who had the first shot for Chelsea – powerfully hit but curled wide of the far post.

There was a flurry of activity a quarter-of-an-hour in. Centre-back Malang Sarr, playing his first game in a Chelsea shirt in front of supporters, was the one to clear a free-kick with his head when Bournemouth had the chance to put the ball in the box and moments later, in open play, home-side striker Dominic Solanke was slipped through but was denied by a sliding block by another former Chelsea Academy graduate Lewis Baker, who has had a back-three role in this pre-season rather than the midfield position Blues fans are more familiar with seeing him in.

LEWIS BAKER ABOUT TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT BLOCK

Blues flow forward

Kepa punched away the corner that followed and Chelsea were quickly on the attack, with Hudson-Odoi striking a shot at the Cherries keeper Mark Travers.

Twenty-five minutes into the game, Travers made a very good close-range reaction stop when Abraham met a Hudson-Odoi pass.

Chelsea, operating with wing-backs, were finding spaces to attack. Alonso picked out Ziyech for a blocked shot before Abraham, having moved well into the inside-right channel, was fed by Ziyech but had a firm, low shot saved. With the next attack, the big no.9 headed over when Ziyech overlapped a Hudson-Odoi run and centred.

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI ATTACKED FROM WING-BACK

The Blues had enjoyed the best of it, but the match was scoreless at half-time.

Thomas Tuchel made seven changes at the interval, including the whole of the rearguard, and soon after the start of the second half, Bournemouth should have taken the lead but after catching Conor Gallagher on the ball and racing towards the net now guarded by Edouard Mendy, David Brooks shot wide to the home supporters’ dismay.

Goals come rapidly

Mendy then pulled off a great close-range block to keep out Kyle Edwards before 10 minutes after the restart, Alonso worried Bournemouth with a shot that was deflected wide and substitute Matt Miazga headed at the Cherries keeper.

Further Chelsea changes came, leaving Gallagher as the only Blues starter still on the field.

Bournemouth’s goal was scored soon after, a cross from the right by Jack Stacey taking a deflection and sitting up nicely for Marcondes to head in.

It took five minutes for Chelsea to equalise. Baba Rahman did well to win the ball back from Bournemouth deep in their half and the Ghanaian then curled a low cross into the path of Broja who, just like in the previous pre-season game, was in the right place to find the net from a few yards out.

ARMANDO BROJA SENDS THE BALL INTO THE NET

There was even less time needed to go from levelling to being in the lead, Ike Ugbo heading in at the near post from a Ross Barkley corner. That made it 2-1 to the Blues and it was a lead retained relatively comfortable to the end. A positive night with pre-season games against Arsenal and Tottenham next up.

Click for ticket details for the Spurs game at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa (Mendy h-t); Sterling (Miazga h-t), Baker (Chalobah h-t), Sarr (Clarke-Salter h-t); Hudson-Odoi (Zappacosta 63), Drinkwater (Loftus-Cheek h-t), Gallagher, Alonso (c) (Baba 63); Ziyech (Barkley h-t), Abraham (Ugbo 63), Pulisic (Broja h-t).
Unused sub Bergstrom
Scorers Broja 71, Ugbo 76
Booked Sterling 36

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Travers; Stacey (Camp h-t), Ibsen Rossi, Kelly (c) (Greenwood 82), Smith (Zemura 60); Marcondes (Glover 82), Kilkenny; Brooks (Saydee 71), Billing (Moriah-Welsh 82), Taylor (Edwards h-t); Solanke (Surridge 82).
Unused sub Dennis
Scorer Marcondes 66
 

Exeter 0 Bristol City 4

A youthful Exeter City side were beaten 4-0 by Championship side Bristol City at the Cliff Hill Training Ground.

Manager Matt Taylor named a side brimming with Academy talent as Ben Seymour lead the line and Jordan Dyer took the captains armband.

Bristol City named a young side with some experienced heads with Premier League winner Danny Simpson starting in midfield and the pair of Tomas Kalas and Adam Nagy who had recently played at Euro 2020.

City started the match on the front foot from the off and forced a corner in the first minute after great work from Toby Nevile down the right. James Dodd’s delivery was well defended by the Robins.

Down the other end Harry Lee was forced into his first save, getting down quickly to smother a shot from Nakki Wells.

The Robins opened the scoring from the spot in the seventh minute after Bakinson was fouled in the area. Nakki Wells stepped up and powered home past Harry Lee in the Grecians goal.

Bristol City continued to do the pressing and almost had a second when Bell fired a short off the post after a deflection. James Dodd would have City’s first real chance, firing just over the bar from twenty yards on the half volley.

The Grecians created a great chance to level after twenty as James Dodd fizzed in a free-kick from wide which was diverted towards goal forcing an impressive reaction save from O’Leary in the Robbins goal. The resulting corner was headed over by Jordan Dyer.

City should have been level on the half-hour mark as Callum Rowe raced towards the touchline before sending in a low cross which was inches away from Ben Seymour’s boot

Straight away down the other end Nakki Wells raced past the city back line but a fantastic recovery tackle from Skipper Jordan Dyer prevented the Robins from doubling their lead.

After 37 minutes Nakki Wells again would get in behind and was upended by Ellis Johnson just inside the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Bakinson stepped up and sent Harry Lee the wrong way to double the lead going into the break.

The second half sparked into life after 55 minutes, as Joe Williams sent a half volley from 20-yards which was impressively tipped over the bar by Harry Lee, moments later he was forced into a similarly impressive tipped over the bar.

The Grecians would recover to force their first meaningful chance of the second half. Charlie Hanson battled bravely to win a 50/50 challenge and the ball was sent over the top by Jack Veale to Ben Seymour, who took a great touch to settle himself before shooting high and wide when one-on-one with the ‘keeper.

Bristol City extended their lead on sixty-two minutes as a corner was cleared to the edge of the box and was fired into the top corner by Adam Nagy, who had recently been playing for Hungary in the Euros against the likes of Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.

City made their first change as Ben Seymour made way for Eli Collins after sixty-six minutes, leaving Charlie Hanson to lead the line.

Bristol City would continue to do most of the pressing in the latter stages of the match, with the Grecians holding firm, with Wells going closest for the visitors, cutting inside, and rattling the crossbar from range.

Harry Lee continued to impress in the City goal, pulling off a fine save from close range from Bell as the Robins looked for a fourth.

Bristol City would soon have a fourth from a corner as the ball was whipped in onto the head of Nakki Wells who diverted towards goal and despite Harry Lee’s efforts he was unable to stop the ball crossing the line.

The match would end with the visitors picking up a 4-0 win, but would prove to be fantastic experience for the young Grecians who will have learned a lot from their Championship opponents.

The Grecians are next in action this coming Saturday in a 3pm kick-off against League One side Shrewsbury Town at St James Park. The match will be streamed live for free on the club’s Youtube channel.

Exeter City XI: Harry Lee; Ellis Johnson, Toby Neville, Jordan Dyer, Callum Rowe, Charlie Hanson, James Dodd (Nicholson ‘78, Harry Kite, Jack Veale Zeph Collins; Ben Seymour (Collins ’66).

Subs: Charlie Hanson, Andrew Sowden, Eli Collins, Jamie Nicholson.

Willand Problem Expected

Despite moderate effort I cannot find ANY match reports for JULY 2021 and the pre-season of Willand Rovers. Can anyone help? Do Willand deliberately hide their performances from the internet?

Exmouth Town 1 Okehampton Argyle 0

Exmouth Town backed by over 130 supporters completed a narrow 1 -0 victory over Swpl side Okehampton. Exmouth Town backed by over 130 supporters completed a narrow 1-0 victory over Swpl side Okehampton . A goal after half an hour by Ben Steer was enough to win an entertaining game . Town complete their preseason when they take on Tiverton Town on Tuesday 7.30 kick off Turnstiles open at 6.30.

Exmouth Town 1 Bideford 1

EXMOUTH TOWN 1 BIDEFORD 1 BY ADAM BARKER COOPER STRIKES LATE TO EARN DRAW Bideford remain unbeaten in pre-season after coming away from Exmouth with a draw on Wednesday night thanks to a late equaliser from Henry Cooper. Cooper struck with three minutes left to level the scores after a familiar face in Dean Billingsley put the home side ahead in the first half. The Robins next fixture against Ilfracombe Town has once again been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday 26th July with a 7:30pm kick off at the Sports Ground. Bideford: Trialist, Price, Mayne, T Down, Heeney, Wright, Nancekivell, Duff, Calver, Hanson, L Wilson. Subs: Wood, I Down, J Down, Cooper. Goals Exmouth Town: Billingsley 32 Bideford: Cooper 87 Attendance: 110

Exmouth Town 5 Verwood Town 3

 

Exmouth score five in opening friendly

person

Tim Herbert

Published: 12:00 AM July 10, 2021   

Ace High of Exmouth Town on the break from Dale of Verwood Town during pre season match between Exmouth Town and Verwood Town at Exmouth Football Club, Exmouth, Devon on 3 July 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK - Credit: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Exmouth Town kicked off their pre-season friendly programme with an entertaining home match against Verwood Town from the Wessex League.  
Basked in glorious Southern Road sunshine, the 150+ Exmouth Town faithful were treated to a cracking game of football, with Town running out 5-3 victors, two late goals from the visitors somewhat taking the shine off what was a very promising first start of the season. 
Town took the lead in the ninth minute when one of three trialists, Sam Bosworth, headed in from close range. A deflected shot brought the visitors level three minutes later before Town’s leading goal scorer over the past two seasons, Jordan Harris, restored the lead with a fine left foot drive on 26 minutes.  
Ten minutes later and a similar strike increased the lead before Ace High headed home the fourth from an Aarron Denny corner to give Town a comfortable 4-1 lead at the break. 
Manager Kevin Hill was able to make changes for the second half and substitute Scott Stevenson added the fifth with a diving header on the hour mark.  
To their credit Verwood kept trying to go forward, reducing the arrears with a well worked goal before an excellent strike in the last minute followed by an impressive back flip put a big smile on the Verwood faces. 
Next up for the first team is a match next Wednesday (July 14) when Sidmouth Town are the visitors for a 7.30pm kick-off, whilst this Saturday will see Town Reserves entertain Exmouth Spartans from 2pm. 
Prior to kick off last weekend, Club President John Dibsdall presented to Paul Hodge, accepting on behalf of his father Ken, a certificate in recognition of Ken being elected as a Life Member.  
Like all clubs, Town need the support and commitment of their volunteers and Ken had been the gateman for all of the twelve years that Town had been members of the South West Peninsula League. 
All things considered, a fine start to the pre-season campaign and fantastic to see supporters back at the club.  

Hasham Ashraf of Exmouth Town during pre season match between Exmouth Town and Verwood Town at Exmouth Football Club, Exmouth, Devon on 3 July 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK - Credit: Phil Mingo/PPAUK