PRE-SEASON '“ Steelmen sign off with a draw, youthful Poppies are well beaten but Diamonds win at Raunds

The Steelmen twice came from behind with Sekou Kromah and Andre Johnson bringing them level at 2-2 before Michael Ogilvie gave them the lead.

However, a last-minute goal from Dan Childs earned Daventry a share of the spoils.

Kettering Town, who begin their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign at Dorchester Town on Saturday, opted to field a youthful line-up for the second leg of the Newlands Shield at Rugby Town.

Spencer Weir-Daley and Paul Walker were the only notable first-team players involved and the Poppies went down 4-0 as Rugby completed a 9-3 aggregate success after a 5-3 win at Latimer Park last weekend.

Jake Woolley, former Poppies frontman David Kolodynski, Jorna Moulton and Aron Wint were on target for the hosts.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds’ penultimate friendly saw them claim a comfortable 4-1 victory over Raunds Town at Kiln Park.

Nic Evangelinos and Taylor Orosz struck for Diamonds in the first half before Nabil Shariff and Jake Newman completed their scoring after the break.

Corby and Diamonds begin their respecting Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division and Division One South campaigns a week on Saturday (August 13).

Don’t miss all the latest from the Poppies, Steelmen and Diamonds in Thursday’s Northamptonshire Telegraph