Report: Magpies 2-1 Bemerton Heath

Report: Magpies 2-1 Bemerton Heath

July 27, 2024

The Magpies made it four wins from four friendlies thanks to an 88th minute winner from Sean Wright.

The midfielder struck late on to maintain our 100% record so far with his third goal in pre-season, after Wayne Robinson's early opener was cancelled out by the visitors.

After hitting six past Bashley in midweek the side was rotated again, including Ieuan Turner, Harry Hutchinson, Sean Wright and Luke Roberts all coming in from the start.

In front of a number of Avenue legends watching on from the stands, the hosts started brightly with Olaf Koszela - fresh from scoring a double on Tuesday night - seeing his shot tipped over inside 60 seconds.

Summer signing Wayne Robinson then went one better in just the third minute, with his powerful strike cannoning off the post and into the goalmouth, which was awarded as going over the line by the match officials.

Roberts, starting on the left of midfield, then went close twice by firstly hitting the base of the post before firing just over the bar.

Koszela then saw his low strike saved before Kyran Samadi's back post header went just wide in the final action of the first period.

Into the second half, the visitors quickly made the scores level with a cross into the area met at the back post by Brad Waters.

However the home side nearly restored the lead just minutes later as Will Spetch's header from a Wes Fogden cross went just over the crossbar.

On the hour mark six subs were introduced all in one go, with Harry Redknapp, Jack Dickson, Corby Moore, Matt Buse, Luke Pardoe and Shaquille Gwengwe all coming on.

It was Pardoe who nearly netted our second with a volley palmed away by the Bemerton keeper before claims for a penalty as Wes Fogden appeared to be pushed in the area but nothing was awarded by the referee.

The same duo combined again moments later, after great work from Pardoe on the left saw the winger beat two defenders before finding Fogden who fired just wide from the edge of the box.

Bemerton threatened a second of their own only for a good recovery challenge from Redknapp Jr to deny them, before a minute later Moore - now wearing the captain's armband - saw his volley go narrowly past the post.

And with just two minutes remaining, it was Moore who turned provider, his corner causing chaos in the area with the keeper punching the ball high before falling to Wright to volley home the winning goal.

Next up is our final home pre-season friendly on Tuesday night as we welcome Larkhall Athletic.

Starting XI: Forster; Turner, Spetch (Redknapp), Hutchinson; Samadi (Dickson), Wright, Ngalo (Moore), Roberts (Pardoe); Koszela (Buse), Fogden; Robinson (Gwengwe). Subs not used: N/A.

Referee: Mark Derrien

Attendance: -