Lincoln United manager Dave Frecklington praised the manner of their friendly match against Lincoln City on Tuesday.
Despite being disappointed with his team’s 3-1 defeat, Frecklington took a lot of positives away from the match.
He said: “It was played in very good spirits. It was a hard fought, high tempo, quality game of football.
“It was what you want out of a friendly. You don’t want to have a friendly where it’s played at a pre-season pace. It was two teams going full at it and that’s the best way to get fitness into your legs.”
Frecklington also praised the impact of trialist Linton Karkach who the Whites are looking to take on a months loan from Gainsborough Trinity.
“He looked really sharp, especially first half he linked up really well with Grimes and Lemon and caused problems all night so I’m really pleased.”
United’s goalscorer, Kallum Smith, also caught the eye and came in for special praise from his manager.
“He was excellent and was excellent on Saturday at Leek. He needed minutes tonight and obviously he’ll be back in the side on Saturday. He got his goal, was a constant threat all night and I thought he was one of the best players on the park.
Frecklington’s men are sitting in mid-table in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division One South League and face Market Drayton Town on Saturday at The Sun-Hat and Villas Stadium.
He said: “It’ll be tough, obviously every game in the league is tough. We’ve got two home games now on Saturday and Tuesday. If we can win both games that’ll put us in and around the play-offs.”