WORCESTER Raiders concluded their pre-season programme with an eighth win from eight as they beat Smiths Barometrics AFC in the pouring rain at Sixways on Wednesday evening.

After Hereford FC pulled out of their arranged fixture, Gloucestershire local side Smiths Barometrics AFC agreed to make the trip over for the friendly at the last minute.

Isaac Cooper opened the scoring for the hosts but they were soon pegged back by their Step 7 opponents, who were proving a tough nut to crack in awful conditions.

But Raiders were dominant enough and Jake Donnelly's finish from close range was soon followed by a brilliant curling effort from Bailey Fuller to take the game away from the visitors just before the break.

New signing Max Black added a fourth before Raiders emptied their bench and gave some valuable minutes to some of the fringe players in the squad. There was a late goal for Alfie Bloomer, who scored on the rebound after his penalty was saved.

Karl Gormley's side will now switch all their attention to next Tuesday's Hellenic League Premier opener at local Worcestershire rivals Pershore Town. 

Raiders will be desperate to get off to a flying start and with promotion on their mind, they can ill-afford to start slowly. 

Captain Sam Carey knows that pre-season results have been good but appreciated they mean very little come next Tuesday. 

"If you look at the wins we have had, it can only breed confidence," he said. "When you are coming up against the sorts of teams we have faced, with the lads we have, we don't really fear anyone.

"We know if we work as hard as we can, we have the quality to beat teams at higher levels and we have shown that throughout this summer. 

"But we aren't naive to the fact it is only pre-season and all focus is and has always been on Pershore on Tuesday. They will be a really tough side to play, especially first game up, so we know we will be up against it.

"We have played Pershore before and we know they have plenty of quality and they have held onto a lot of players. But we are confident in what we can do and we will go there looking for a big three points early doors."