Draw & win against Halifax and Salford
On the Sir Bobby Charlton Pitch at St. George's Park, the usual training pitch of the England national team, Hertha took on Halifax Town and went behind early on. Jesse Debrah headed in from a corner in the 8th minute. The 'Old Lady' responded well in the summer conditions: Peter Pekarík's cross was flicked on by Maximilian Mittelstädt, before Krzysztof Piątek narrowly missed the chance to equalise (15'). Dedryck Boyata then headed over from a set piece (23'), before Lucas Tousart was denied by the Halifax goalkeeper (35'). A minute later, Mittelstädt eventually levelled the game after Jordan Torunarigha's shot was blocked. Sandro Schwarz's side had chances to take the lead soon after, but Derry Scherhant's header hit the post (39'). Tousart had a go from range but his effort went over the bar (43') and the scores remained tied at 1-1 at the end of the 45-minute session.
Torunarigha heads in
Salford City were the opposition for the second 45, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp and Robert Kwasigroch replacing Dedryck Boyata and Tjark Ernst respectively. Ekkelenkamp came close to making an instant impact but headed a Mittelstädt cross just over the bar just four minutes into the half. Just before the hour mark, Schwarz made another change: Deyovaisio Zeefuik, Julian Eitschberger and Luca Wollschläger replaced Pekarík, Tousart and Piątek. Mittelstädt then came close in the 23rd minute but couldn't find the target, before Torunarigha found the back of the net with what was the only goal of the half, heading in from Darida's free kick (28'). Later today, Hertha will take on Derby County (kick-off 17:00 CEST).
Hertha BSC XI vs Halifax: Ernst - Pekarík, Boyata (C), Torunarigha, Ullrich - Tousart, Dárdai, Darida - Scherhant, Piątek, Mittelstädt.
Goals: 0-1 Debrah (8’), 1-1 Mittelstädt (36‘)
Hertha BSC XI vs Salford: Kwasigroch - Pekarík (62' Eitschberger), Ekkelenkamp, Torunarigha, Ullrich - Tousart (62' Zeefuik), Dárdai, Darida - Scherhant, Piątek (62' Wollschläger), Mittelstädt.
Goals: 1-0 Torunarigha (28’)