Droylsden and Glossop North End ended their pre-season preparations on Saturday afternoon with results that left both managers pleased.
The Bloods ran out 3-1 winners against a youthful Salford City XI, with goals from Caelan Kilheeney, Nelson Van and Ben Lowe giving them a confidence boost ahead of next week’s curtain raiser against Euxton Villa.
“I’m happier than I was this time last year when I had 180 trialists,” Droylsden manager Dave Pace told the club’s YouTube channel. “It took us 15 games to get going, but hopefully we can hit the ground running a little bit better and kick-on from there.
“We’ve got a few more injuries than what I’d like going into the season, and we’ve got one or two that are away for the first game. But, I’ve got no favourites. I’ve always said that whether you come from the King’s Head or Manchester United, whether you’re 16 or 60, if you’re good enough, you play.”
Despite losing 3-2 at home to higher league opposition in Newcastle Town, Glossop boss Richard Brodie was content with what he saw from his side, especially after a sub-par performance at Atherton LR midweek.
“We had to get back to basics today, but one: I thought it was our best performance of pre-season, and two: as a reaction to Tuesday night , I thought we were very, very good today. I feel a million times better than I did on Tuesday night.”
The Hillmen make the short trip to West Didsbury & Chorlton for their first North West Counties game of the campaign on Saturday.
Elsewhere, there were solid results for Curzon Ashton, Ashton United, Hyde United and Stalybridge Celtic.
Curzon and Stalybridge both won 4-1 on their travels at Prestwich Heys and Stockport Town, respectively.
Jordan Scanlon, Connor Heath and Ayo Quadri scored the goals in Hyde’s 3-0 win at Longridge Town, while Ashton United impressed in the Friday night match away to newly promoted National League North side, Marine. A late winner from Ewan Catt gave the Robins a 2-1 win.
Mossley went down to a narrow 1-0 loss against Emley, while their new tenants Uppermill overcame New Mills 2-1 in a friendly at Wright Robinson.
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