Saltash United 0 Bristol Manor Farm 2

Saltash brought their pre-season programme to an end on Saturday afternoon with a tough encounter against Bristol Manor Farm at a baking Kimberley Stadium.

And the visitors, who play in the Southern League south division, ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Troy Simpson (43 minutes) and Owen Howe (64).

The Ashes named a team mixed with first and second team players and in the first half their young defence, including Caleb Summerfield, Fraser Ferris and Josh Tapp, coped well with Manor Farm’s pacey front line.

But Saltash’s resistance was ended two minutes before half-time with a close range finish after a mix-up between goalkeeper Ryan Rickard and central defender Callum O’Brien.

Howe doubled the visitors’ lead midway through the second half with a sweet left foot volley from 20 yards.

Saltash now prepare for their opening Carlsberg South West Peninsula League premier division game at Millbrook on Tuesday (August 7) with a 6.30pm kick-off.

Saltash: R Rickard, C Summerfield, F Ferris, J Tapp, C O’Brien, S Leary, S Cleary, S Farrant, S Hughes, R Richards, C Courts. Subs: D Barker, H Wilson, C Martindale, D Lewis, L Phillips, C Brown.