Granada 2 AFC Bournemouth 1

 

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 AFC Bournemouth

A fortuitous second-half goal from Luis Suarez condemned AFC Bournemouth to a 2-1 defeat against Granada as the Cherries rounded off their pre-season training camp in Spain.

Colombia international Suarez, who was once on the books at Watford, settled the friendly in favour of the La Liga outfit when he netted the winner in the 59th minute.

There was an element of good fortune about the goal after Antonio Puertas’s cross had struck Cherries defender Jack Stacey and fallen invitingly at the feet of Suarez 12 yards from goal.

Scott Parker’s team took to the pitch at the Federacion Malaguena de Futbol bidding to follow up their 4-2 win over Real Balompedica Linense in their first warm-up game on Friday.

And although they created a host of chances in the early stages, they were sucker-punched when Granada opened the scoring through Soro, the midfielder converting their first noteworthy opportunity after 28 minutes.

However, the Cherries were rewarded for an impressive first-half showing when Dominic Solanke levelled just four minutes later after fastening on to a defence-splitting pass from Jaidon Anthony, his second goal of pre-season.

Adam Smith, who was given his first taste of action having signed a new contract last week, supplied a low cross inside the first two minutes which Solanke flicked past the post.

Gavin Kilkenny’s interception and driving run set up David Brooks for the Cherries’ second chance, the Wales international seeing his shot flash past the upright.

Phil Billing’s snapshot was charged down by Granada defender German before another effort from Brooks flew narrowly wide as the one-way traffic continued.

Smith and Molina were booked for fouls before another sweeping move ended with a centre from Emiliano Marcondes flashing across the face of the goalmouth.

Granada, ninth in the Spanish top flight last season, drew first blood when an unmarked Soro headed a hanging cross from Antonin past Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers.

And while the goal came against the run of play, parity was quickly restored when Solanke was picked out by Anthony’s majestic through ball and rounded Granada goalkeeper Aaron before rolling the ball into an unguarded net.

As the first half drew to a close, the Cherries looked the more likely of the two teams to reach the break leading and a header from Marcondes looped inches over the crossbar.

The introduction of new signing Monchu at the interval helped Granada turn the tide in the second half, the former Barcelona midfielder catching the eye on debut.

His cross four minutes in was met by Antonin, the former Malaga striker appealing in vain for a penalty after his effort had cannoned off Lloyd Kelly and struck Jordan Zemura.

Monchu then teed up Luis Milla whose shot cleared the crossbar before recently-appointed Granada head coach Robert Moreno saw his team regain the lead through Suarez.

Puertas went close to adding a third when his well-struck shot went past the post before a flurry of substitutions saw boss Parker make no fewer than ten changes in the 68th minute.

A youthful Cherries team, including 17-year-old Owen Bevan who also featured against Real Balompedica Linense, saw Kelly hand the captain’s armband to Sam Surridge.

Sandwiched between Zemura and Brennan Camp having penalty appeals waved away, Surridge was denied when his effort deflected off a defender and went out for a corner.

In added time, Surridge’s free-kick clipped the wall and, from the resultant corner taken by Kyle Taylor, the striker saw his header saved by replacement goalkeeper Angel.

AFC Bournemouth: Travers (Dennis, 68), Stacey (Camp, 68), Sherring (Ibsen Rossi, 68), Kelly (Bevan, 68), Smith (Zemura, h/t), Kilkenny (Glover, 68), Billing (Moriah-Welsh, 68), Marcondes (Taylor, 68), Brooks (Scrimshaw, 68), Anthony (Surridge, 68), Solanke (Saydee, 68).

Hibernian 2 Arsenal 1

 

Match report: Hibernian 2-1 Arsenal

Rob Kelly 13 Jul 2021

HIBERNIAN -

TUE JUL 13 - 18:00

Tue Jul 13 - 18:00

 

Easter Road

Hibernian

Boyle (21)Mackay (69)

21

Arsenal

E. Smith Rowe (82)

NEWS & VIDEO

 

WHAT HAPPENED

Emile Smith Rowe was on target on Tuesday evening as we were beaten by Hibernian at Easter Road in our first game of pre-season.

With much of the focus on fitness and combination play, we started brightly enough and had a golden chance when Eddie Nketiah raced clean through on goal – only for the striker to shoot wide.

Reiss Nelson soon tested former Gunner Matt Macey with a firm strike as we forced the home side back, and from the resulting corner Nketiah sent a glancing header wide.

But out of nowhere, we gifted the Scottish side the lead when Arthur Okonkwo failed to deal with a tricky backpass from Cedric, and Martin Boyle had the simple task of collecting the loose ball and rolling it in from close range.

We fashioned a decent chance for an equaliser when a deep ball to the back post was headed back across goal by Sead Kolasinac, but Nelson’s goalbound shot hit Nketiah and deflected away.

Okonkwo soon made a sharp save to push away Stephen Bradley’s shot, before the Hibs striker hit the post moments later before the half-time break.

Mikel Arteta made seven changes at the interval, and one of them – Nicolas Pepe – came close to an immediate impact as his goalbound free kick from the edge of the area was pushed over.

Pepe soon saw a shot deflected just wide, while Folarin Balogun had an effort saved as we stepped things up – before Thomas Partey struck the post with a superb long-range free kick.

• Watch Rangers v Arsenal live on Arsenal.com

But, just like the first half, we were hit by a suckerpunch when a deep corner swung in from the right was headed back across goal by Paul Hanlon, and Daniel Mackay headed in from close range to double the hosts’ lead.

We looked to have a way back into the game when Pepe was taken down in the area and a penalty was awarded, but the Ivorian’s spot kick was saved.

We got back into the match with seven minutes remaining when, at the end of an intricate passing move, Hector Bellerin picked out Smith Rowe at the back post and he fired in.

But there was to be no late equaliser but Arteta will have seen plenty to encourage him despite the result.

WHAT’S NEXT

We’ll continue our training camp in Edinburgh this week, before taking on Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday – and you can watch it live on Arsenal.com once again.

Then we fly to the United States on Wednesday, July 21, ahead of our two Florida Cup matches there against Inter Milan and the winner of the Everton v Millonarios game.
 

Rangers 2 Arsenal 2

 

Match report: Rangers 2-2 Arsenal

Josh James 17 Jul 2021

RANGERS -

SAT JUL 17 - 14:00

Sat Jul 17 - 14:00

 

Ibrox Stadium

Rangers

Balogun (14)Itten (75)

22

Arsenal

Nuno Tavares (23)

Nketiah (83)

NEWS & VIDEO

WHAT HAPPENED

New signing Nuno Tavares marked his first appearance in Gunners colours with an excellent goal, and Eddie Nketiah grabbed a late equaliser as we twice came from behind to earn a draw in Glasgow.

We generally dominated our second pre-season friendly, but were left to rue a host of missed opportunities, while our defensive lapses were punished from two Rangers' corners.

But there were plenty of positives to take as we stepped up our preparations - none more so than the performance of 21-year-old new signing Tavares.

Before his goal he had already looked lively, looking to burst forward from his starting position at left back, but it was the hosts who took the lead. 

Shaven-headed Rob Holding cleared an inswinging free-kick, but from the resulting corner Leon Balogun rose above the defence to glance his header inside the far post.

We had already squandered the best early chance. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pounced on a loose pass by Rangers keeper Allan McGregor, steadied himself but sent his shot just over the bar.

Nicolas Pepe also curled a shot over after some nifty footwork from Aubameyang, and soon we were deservedly level, thanks to the new boy.

Tavares showed great desire and willing to get into the box, and finished excellently with his right foot from a narrow angle. 

We were beginning to take control, and created plenty of chances to take the lead - the first fell to Aubameyang, but he headed wide from close range at the far post.

Folarin Balogun was released in the box by the skipper shortly afterwards, and forced a smart save from McGregor before Aubameyang let another chance slip away. He couldn't convert from close range after a wonderful, incisive run by Emile Smith Rowe.

We should really have been ahead at the break, and five half-time substitutions (including goalscorer Tavares) did nothing to disrupt our rhythm. Both Thomas Partey and Smith Rowe were denied by McGregor in the opening five minutes of the second period, as our shot count continued to rise.

Just after the hour mark Mikel Arteta made another group of substitutions, but our attacking intent remained. Reiss Nelson was heavily involved and we continued to look dangerous, but were soon punished for not taking our chances.

Again we conceded from a corner - for the third time this pre-season - with Cedric Itten heading home past Karl Hein.

Our 19-year-old Estonian keeper then made a good low save from Stephen Kelly to keep the deficit at one and we soon made sure it was a costly miss from the Rangers youngster.

Nketiah fired us level after wonderful work inside the area to create an opening, eventually striking home left footed through a crowd.

Hector Bellerin tried his luck with his left foot from just inside the area, while Sead Kolasinac and Willian both shot over as we desperately sought the winner.

It wouldn't come, and we had to settle for a draw in an entertaining friendly match.

WHAT'S NEXT

This concludes our Scottish training camp, but the hard work continues next week, as the side fly off to Florida on Wednesday.

Our next match is against Inter Milan in the Florida Cup on Sunday, July 21 - and you can watch that game live on Arsenal.com.

We'll then take on either Everton or Millonarios on July 28, before the side return to the UK, for our final friendly matches in the Mind Series, against Chelsea (H) and Tottenham (A).

 

AFC Wimbledon 0 Brentford 1

 Match Reports

AFC WIMBLEDON 0 BRENTFORD 1

Valencia scores as Brentford get pre-season win

Brentford FC

@BrentfordFC

A single goal late in the first half was enough to give Brentford a win over AFC Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly. The game was played in very warm conditions and the first period failed to capture the imagination, but Brentford scored in the dying moments of it. The second period was livelier and threatened further goals, but none were forthcoming, and The Bees got the win.

The first half was, for long periods, unexciting. The strength of the sun, which made it a hot afternoon in South London, probably didn’t help and the number of free kicks given was also a factor. The game was stop-start, it lacked flow and neither team was able to put together spells of attacking possession.

Bryan Mbeumo floated a free kick narrowly wide of the far post early on, and then fired one in at the near post from the right channel later in the half. Nik Tzanev got down well to save the latter shot but was mostly untroubled until Brentford went ahead. That goal came down the right, as did most of Brentford’s attacking play. Saman Ghoddos was able to turn in the penalty area and his cross was half cleared. Fin Stevens lofted a shot over Tzanev, but it hit the crossbar and bounced down. Joel Valencia reacted quickest to dive and head in.

The goal came as Brentford started to take control of the game. While The Bees would probably have wanted to do more in attack, they were solid at the back. David Raya was untroubled and as the half wore on, The Bees were playing more on the front foot and in Wimbledon territory, which enabled them to take the lead before the break.

The pace of the game increased after half time. Wimbledon’s second half line-up had three central defenders, they put more players in to attacking areas and both sides increased their intensity. Luke McCormick had a shot deflected wide for the hosts before an effort from Huseyin Biler was blocked. Patrik Gunnarsson was forced in to a low save when Ayoub Assal miss-controlled a Corie Andrews lay-off with such power that it turned in to a shot. The Brentford goalkeeper got down to palm it wide.

With temperatures remaining high, there was a water break in each half and both sides could have scored just after the pause in the second period. A fine pass from Luke Racic released Sergi Canós on the left side, he played a low ball in, Tariqe Fosu weaved clear of defenders, but shot wide from ten yards. A run from Assal at the other end then set up McCormick, but he fired over the crossbar.

Wimbledon probably had slightly the better of the second half and could have levelled late on. McCormick missed the target after twisting free on the edge of the penalty area and Gunnarsson saved from Assal. The Bees could have had the final word from a half cleared corner. Shandon Baptiste got away from his man and delivered a cross for Racic, but his header was blocked. The ball dropped loose, and Charlie Goode got a shot off, but once again he couldn’t beat the defenders on the line. A second would probably have flattered The Bees but they did enough to get a pre-season win.

AFC Wimbledon (First Half): Tzanev; Alexander, Heneghan, Trialist, Guinness-Walker; Hartigan, Woodyard; Chislett, Fisher (sub Robinson 33 mins), Rudoni; Palmer

AFC Wimbledon (Second Half): Oualah; Biler, Ogundere, Charles, Kalambayi, Osew; Assal, Marsh, Bolton (sub Trialist 76 mins), McCormick; Andrews

Brentford (First Half): Raya; Roerslev, Russell, Pinnock, Gordon; Ghoddos, Janelt (sub Stevens 13 mins), Gilbert; Mbeumo, Toney, Valencia

Brentford (Second Half): Gunnarsson; Stevens, Goode, Racic, Thompson; Baptiste, Oksanen, Haygarth; Fosu, Mogensen (sub Gordon 87 mins), Canós

Saturday 17th July

 Rangers 2 Arsenal 2

AFC Wimbledon 0 Brentford 1

Bridgwater United 2 Weymouth 5

Other matches were either postponed or cancelled.

Bath City 3 Exeter City 4

 Taken from Devon Live:

Bath City 3 Exeter City 4 - late Matt Jay goal secures Grecians win in pre-season friendly

Goals from James Dodd, two for Sam Nombe, and one for Matt Jay gave City the win in an entertaining friendly

Goal celebrations for Matt Jay of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Bath City and Exeter City at Twerton Park, Bath on the 16 Jul. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK (Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Matt Jay struck late on to secure another pre-season victory for Exeter City in an entertaining 4-3 win at Bath City.

First half goals from James Dodd – a first in Grecians colours – before Nombe’s first of the night had put them on course for a comfortable win, but just before the break, Cody Cooke’s deflected strike pulled one back for the Romans.

Bath had chances to level, but Nombe, making it four goals in two games this week, put City 3-1 up just before the hour with a calmly taken finish after a defensive mistake.

Read More - Lewis Page signs for Harrogate Town after turning down Exeter City contract

Tom Smith made it 3-2 when the midfielder scored late on for the hosts, and then moments later completed the comeback, sliding past Scott Brown when one-on-one with the keeper.

But on 83 minutes, Jay, off the bench, used his class to work an opening that never looked on to drill home a late winner and ensure they came away from Twerton Park with the victory as they build towards the start of the League Two season on August 7.

Goal celebrations for Matt Jay of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Bath City and Exeter City at Twerton Park, Bath on the 16 Jul. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK (Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Manager Matt Taylor named another mix-and-match side as the pre-season campaign continued, making nine changes from the side that started Tuesday’s 5-0 win at Taunton Town.

Scott Brown was in goal, with Jordan Dyer, George Ray and Alex Hartridge were the back three, with Josh Key and Jack Sparkes as wing-backs, Dodd, Archie Collins and Harry Kite in the midfield, and Joel Randall and Nombe up front.

PROMOTED STORIES

And it took just four minutes before City should have taken the lead, but Hartridge, having been left unmarked from a corner, volleyed narrowly over the bar.

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One minute later, they came even closer. Sparkes found space down the left wing, fired in a pinpoint cross to Nombe, but his effort bounced back off the post, with the ex-MK Dons man failing to convert the rebound.

But on 17 minutes, the goal came. Nombe picked up the ball in the six yard box after a superb pass by Key, and the striker laid it off for academy product Dodd, and the 20-year-old drilled the effort into the bottom corner.

Goal celebrations for James Dodd of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Bath City and Exeter City at Twerton Park, Bath on the 16 Jul. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK (Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

On 30 minutes, the Grecians made it two, and Nombe got the goal his performance deserved. Randall used his pace to good effect, bursting free down the right-hand side, who then found the 22-year-old in the box, who swivelled, and powered an effort past the Bath goalkeeper.

Just before the break though, Bath got one back, when Cooke latched onto a cross from Alex Fletcher, and the ex-Weymouth man’s shot a deflection and beat Brown in the Grecians goal.

And the Romans should have drawn level on 56 minutes, with ex-Plymouth Argyle man Fletcher missing a golden chance. Having got on the end of a long ball, he turned past Hartridge, but his attempted lob over Brown only landed on the roof of the net.

Within sixty seconds though, City extended their lead, and it was that man Nombe again. A poor pass was intercepted by Key, who then found Collins, who squared the ball nicely to the striker who placed his effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Goal celebrations for Sam Nombe of Exeter City during the Pre Season Match between Bath City and Exeter City at Twerton Park, Bath on the 16 Jul. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK (Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

On the hour mark, Taylor made ten changes, with a whole new outfield unit. Ellis Johnson, Pierce Sweeney and Cheick Diabate were the new back three, with Jake Caprice and Zeph Collins as the wing-backs, Jack Veale, Eli Collins and Jay in the midfield, and Jevani Brown and Ben Seymour upfront.

City were in control, but suddenly found themselves with a nervous last 15 minutes when the National League South side scored against the run of play, with Smith tapping home a dangerous cross at the far post.

And the on-loan Dagenham and Redbridge man grabbed a second in the 80th minute with a lovely composed finish and finding himself one-on-one with Brown, making it 3-3 as the game entered the final ten minutes.

But skipper Jay, with an outstanding finish, gave the Grecians a late winner. Having picked up the ball inside the area, he found space to shimmy around the defence and fire a low effort into the back of the net.

City are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Weymouth.

Exeter City first 60 minutes

Scott Brown, Jordan Dyer, George Ray, Alex Hartridge, Josh Key, James Dodd, Harry Kite, Archie Collins, Sam Nombe, Joel Randall

Exeter City last 30 minutes

Scott Brown, Ellis Johnson, Pierce Sweeney, Cheick Diabate, Jake Caprice, Eli Collins, Matt Jay, Jack Veale, Zeph Collins, Jevani Brown, Ben Seymour.

Paulton Town 1 Bath City 2

 Early first half goals from Tom Smith and Eddie Jones were enough to secure the win.

Exmouth Town 3 Sidmouth Town 0

 Jordan Harris scored twice and James Richards once as Exmouth ran out 3-0 winners over Sidmouth Town.

No more information seems to be available yet.

Willand Rovers 4 Bradford Town 3

 My Southern League Division One South selection had a good win today.

I cannot find a match report but I always knew this club would be difficult.

The Twitter feed suggests that:

Bradford Town took the lead after 12 minutes after a run down the left.

Willand Rovers equalised after 15 minutes from a corner taken by Ryan Guppy.

Willand Rovers score their second after 21 minutes to take the score to 2-1. Alfie Moulden scored. He was put through by Will Harvey.

Willand Rovers score their third after 30 minutes to take the score to 3-1. Alfie Moulden once again scores but this time there is a deflection.

The score stayed at 3-1 until half time.

Alfie Moulden completes his hat trick in the 81st minute to take the score to 4-1.

Bradford Town score two consolation goals in the 83rd and 85th minute to take the score to 4-3 where it stayed until full time.

Willand Rovers 4 Bradford Town 3.

Bath City 0 Cardiff City 5

 A defeat in pre-season for my National League South selection.

Bath City Football Club

21 minutes ago

FINAL SCORE ⚽️ | Bath City 0-5 Cardiff City

Twerton crowd back for Cardiff masterclass

GOALS 🥅 | (CCFC) James Collins 3' 25', Oli Denham 18', Isaac Vassell 37', Isaak Davies 88' 

...See more

The link above should do it.

Tiverton Town 0 Exeter City 1

 You can read the match report here:

Match Report

On with SATURDAY now.

Tiverton Town v. Exeter City

Two of my teams take on each other in a pre-season friendly tonight. 19:30 is the kick-off time and although I expect Exeter to field a weakened team as Tiverton are a Southern League outfit, the result could go either way and I hope the fans who turn up enjoy the match.

 

Arsenal Start Training

 My spreadsheet tells me that a number of things are happening today and we have already had a few pre-season friendlies so the new season is underway at least in terms of pre-season.

Arsenal are back at London Colney and they have released the Scottish and American fixtures for those who might want to travel. Travel? Does anyone know what is allowed now that Boris Johnson has decided to declare "Freedom Day" and allow the population of England to kill themselves. Get together, have a party and if a few of you die so be it. Let the bodies pile high!

The National League released their fixtures for the season today so I have been able to log where Weymouth and Bath City will be week by week.

The first few fixtures for my teams took place on Saturday 3rd July with Tiverton being the only team that failed to score. Travelling away to Cribbs they earned a creditable 0-0 draw. Willand Rovers are new for me this season and I was aware that their internet coverage is poor. I did, however, find their Twitter feed and the last post on there says that Buckland Athletic have taken a 3-2 lead to I assume that was the final score. Willand Rovers 2 Buckland Athletic 3.

My favourites Exmouth Town had a good pre-season win beating Verwood Town 4-1 at home.

Finally for Saturday Bath City travelled to Larkhall Athletic and beat their hosts 5-1. A very good start.

Bath City played again on Tuesday night and won again, this time beating Frome Town away 4-1.

An Exeter City eleven travelled to Weston-super-Mare and lost 2-1 to open their pre-season with a defeat.

It is good to have football back.

EFL Trophy Draw

The draw for the EFL Trophy has been made and the groups are as follows:-

Northern Group A

Everton U21s

Carlisle United

Hartlepool United

Morecambe

Northern Group B

Leeds United U21s

Oldham Athletic

Salford City

Tranmere Rovers

Northern Group C

Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s

Crewe Alexandra

Shrewsbury Town

Wigan Athletic

Northern Group D

Liverpool U21s

Bolton Wanderers

Port Vale

Rochdale

Northern Group E

Manchester City U21s

Doncaster Rovers

Rotherham United

Scunthorpe United

Northern Group F

Manchester United U21s

Bradford City

Lincoln City

Sunderland

Northern Group G

Leicester City U21s

Accrington Stanley

Barrow

Fleetwood

Northern Group H

Newcastle United U21s

Harrogate Town

Mansfield Town

Sheffield Wednesday

Southern Group A

West Ham United U21s

Colchester United

Gillingham

Ipswich Town

Southern Group B

Crystal Palace U21s

AFC Wimbledon

Portsmouth

Sutton United

Southern Group C

Aston Villa U21s

Burton Albion

Milton Keynes Dons

Wycombe Wanderers

Southern Group D

Brighton & Hove Albion U21s

Forest Green Rovers

Northampton Town

Walsall

Southern Group E

Chelsea U21s

Bristol Rovers

Cheltenham Town

Exeter City

Southern Group F

Arsenal U21s

Newport County

Plymouth Argyle

Swindon Town

Southern Group G

Southampton U21s

Charlton Athletic

Crawley Town

Leyton Orient

Southern Group H

Tottenham Hotspur U21s

Cambridge United

Oxford United

Stevenage

May the best under 21 team win.