Friendlies round-up

21 July 2009 19:51
Arsenal secured their first victory of pre-season with an emphatic 7-1 win over Austrian minnows SC Columbia. The Gunners opened their pre-season campaign with a draw at Barnet on Saturday. Now as part of their training camp in Austria, Arsenal tackled amateurs Columbia - but they went behind as the hosts took a shock lead on the half-hour through Patrick Lehner. But Arsene Wenger's men made sure of victory as they were 3-1 up at the interval thanks to a brace from Nicklas Bendtner (36 & 44) and an Aaron Ramsey (39) strike. After the break Arsenal cruised to victory as Robin van Persie (56 pen & 73) grabbed two, William Gallas scored (77) and Ramsey added the seventh (83) late on. Stoke City are also in Austria, where they faced Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel Aviv and drew 1-1. City boss Tony Pulis named a strong side and they went ahead just after the half-hour through Salif Diao. Hapoel sealed a draw as Douglas da Silva levelled just after the break. In South Africa, Manchester City opened the Vodacom Challenge tournament with a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs. The only goal of the game arrived just before the interval when Stephen Ireland scored. Tottenham continued their excellent pre-season form with a third clean sheet as they eased to a 4-0 win at Peterborough United. Darren Bent (35) opened the scoring for Spurs, before second-half goals from Jermain Defoe (66), Luka Modric (68) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (75) sealed the win. Fulham's first pre-season clash back in Britain, after their trip to Australia, ended in a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth. Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 draw at League One Colchester United, but they had to come from two goals down to seal a draw. The home side took the lead just before the half-hour when Scott Vernon headed home, and then ten minutes into the second half Ashley Vincent doubled Colchester's lead. Villa pulled one back almost immediately through Steve Sidwell and then just moments later Adam McGurk was on hand to fire home an equaliser for Martin O'Neill's men. Hull City came from behind to seal a 2-1 win at Carlisle United, who went ahead at Brunton Park. Matt Robson opened the scoring for The Cumbrians after just 12 minutes, and they held their lead until just after the break when Daniel Cousin volleyed home. Peter Halmosi then gave Hull the victory with a well placed shot. Portsmouth were held to a 2-2 draw by local non-league rivals Havant & Waterlooville. Trialist Eugene Bopp was the star of the show as he grabbed a brace to put Pompey 2-0 ahead. But a mistake from Bopp then allowed Mustafa Tiryaki to pounce and then late on Manny Williams struck to seal a draw for the home side. Lee Clark lost out to his old club Newcastle as The Magpies claimed a 1-0 win over Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium. Wolves claimed victory at Walsall with a 1-0 at The Banks's Stadium. The only goal of the game arrived after 16 minutes and it was new signing Andrew Surman who drove the ball home. Championship Bristol City claimed a 4-0 win at non-league Weymouth, whilst Barnsley fielded two sides in games at Gainsborough and Frickley, which ended in 1-0 and 3-1 wins respectively. Derby County emerged 2-0 winners from their clash at Huish Park against Yeovil, but Leicester were held to a 0-0 draw at Mansfield. Sheffield Wednesday claimed a 2-0 win at Hartlepool United as Leeds United were held to a 1-1 draw at League Two Grimsby Town. Preston could only grab a 1-1 draw at non-league Wrexham, and Crystal Palace were also held to a draw as they drew 2-2 with Brentford at Griffin Park. Queens Park Rangers came through their test at Forest Green Rovers with a 2-0 win. Brighton came through at AFC Wimbledon as they claimed a 2-0 victory, and Oldham grabbed a 2-1 win at Moss Rose over Macclesfield. Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town played out a 2-2 draw at Whaddon Road, as Millwall defeated Irish side Shelbourne 1-0. Non-league Kidderminster Harriers claimed a 3-2 win over League Two Hereford, but Morecambe easily overcame Kendal Town 4-1. Another non-league scalp saw Ebbsfleet United claim a 3-2 win over Leyton Orient.

Source: SKY_Sports