By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Kevin Bond took his Southend United squad to Dorset on Friday evening for a friendly against National League South newcomers Weymouth, with recent signing from the Southern Premier League champions Brandon Goodship included in the Shrimpers’ line-up.
But it was his striking colleague Stephen Humphrys who stole the show in the first half, when he equalised with an impressive 25 yard free-kick on 24 minutes after Baggie had given the Terras a 13th minute lead.
And Humphrys – scorer of another fine goal in Blues’ 3-2 friendly win at BIllericay Town last Tuesday – was involved again as the visitors took the lead, when he was put through by Charlie Kelman and set up Isaac Hutchinson, who made it 2-1 to Southend with a tap-in.
But Weymouth equalised 15 minutes from time, when McCarthy scored via a corner to make the final score 2-2.
Meanwhile Braintree Town took on Premier League West Ham United‘s U-23 squad at Cressing Road, where the honours were shared in a 1-1 draw.
Adam Mills put Glen Driver’s team in front with a quarter of an hour played. But the young Hammers side piled on the pressure after the break, and were rewarded when Sean Adarkwa equalised with three minutes of the match left.
Also on Friday night Chelmsford City took on Dagenham & Redbridge and won 2-1, in a game switched to Stanway Rovers’ ground due to work currently being done to prepare the Melbourne Community Stadium pitch for the new season.
Clarets led 2-0 at half time thanks to goals from Jonny Giles and Sam Higgins, with Joe Quigley netting the Daggers’ consolation three minutes after the restart.
On Saturday Colchester United made a lengthy trip to Wales to take on Cefn Druids of the Welsh Premier League, and won their third pre-season game on the bounce. Goals from Andre Hassanally, Owar Sowunmi and Luke Norris gave the U’s a 3-0 victory.
Romford of the Isthmian North took on Concord Rangers at the Ford Sports ground in Rush Green, and the National League South side scored an emphatic 5-1 win.
Decarrey Sherriff gave the Beach Boys the lead on 33 minutes before the Boro levelled a couple of minutes later.
But second half goals from Lemar Reynolds, Danny Green, Sherriff and Joel Nouble ensured a successful afternoon for Danny Scopes’ men.
Grays Athletic hosted another National League South side in Dartford, who won 2-1 with two second half goals after Joao Carlos had given the Blues an 8th minute lead.
Meanwhile Grays’ landlords Aveley were in Wiltshire playing a warm-up game away to Salisbury, who led 3-0 before Alex Akrofi scored for the Millers five minutes from time to make the final score 3-1 to the hosts.
Harlow Town continued their preparations for life in the Isthmian League South Central Division with a home match against their Isthmian Premier League neighbours Bishops Stortford, which the visitors won by the odd goal in three.
Veteran forward Jamie Cureton fired Stortford in front on 40 minutes, before Oliver Gnandi pulled one back for the Hawks a couple of minutes afterwards. A second half goal from Ryan Charles ensured victory for the Hertfordshire side.
Canvey Island also entertained Isthmian Premier League opposition, in the shape of Hornchurch and the Gulls managed a fine 3-1 win.
George Purcell, Dan Humphreys and Ryan Melaugh were on the scoresheet for the hosts, with Urchins pulling one back via an own goal.
Great Wakering Rovers, who are getting ready for their second campaign back in the Isthmian North scored a 3-1 win at home to Cheshunt, newly promoted to the Premier Division under the management of ex-BIllericay Town and Chelmsford City boss Craig Edwards.
The Burroughs Park outfit’s goals came from Jack Stevenson who netted twice – one of which was a penalty – and Tony Martin, but it was a game of mixed fortunes for the latter who was shown a red card in the second half.
Isthmian North new boys Hullbridge Sports made the short trip to Southend based White Ensign of the Eastern Counties League Division One South, but their hosts won 1-0 via a goal from Luke Skinner.