KENDAL Town manager Dave Foster is content with how the early stages of pre-season are panning out with preparations set to intensify as the month of July progresses.

The Mintcakes are back in training ahead of the new Evo-Stik First Division North campaign and came through their first warm up match against AFC Fylde at the weekend.

Despite a 4-1 loss to the Skrill Conference North newcomers, Foster insists results are not the priority at the present time as he continues to mould a squad capable of challenging for honours.

“We’ve got quite a few new ones in and even though some have been here before that’s not while I’ve been in charge so it’s a case of us all getting to know each other,” he said.

“We’re trying to get ideas across and the lads are at different levels fitness wise so we’re working on that as well as basic systems.

“We’re also seeing who can take information on board, which was a particularly pleasing aspect of Saturday.

“We played a 4-2-3-1 formation which we haven’t really worked on or played before so we asked certain people to do certain jobs and I was really pleased with how that worked out.

“It will probably be another week or ten days before I chop the squad a little bit while still looking to see what is out there.

“Once we get to the middle of July we want that base fitness to be there and then really look to sharpen up the tempo and really go tactically and develop the style of play.”

As for Saturday’s game itself, Adam Sumner and Richie Allen scored for the Coasters before Mark Jackson – returning to Parkside Road from Skelmersdale United – halved the deficit before half time.

Both managers – Foster and opposite number Dave Challinor – used the clash to cast their eye over a number of trialists with two finding the net for the visitors in the second period.

Foster believes there were plenty of positives to take from the opening friendly, although the latter games of the pre-season programme against Skelmersdale United are Workington are likely to carry more weight.

“It was a good run out for us, I had five missing which in my head would probably be in the squad if not starters but that gave me the chance to have a look at some trialists,” he added.

“I was really pleased with the first half, we were behind at the break but perhaps should have been ahead with the chances we created.

“We started to blow up a bit in the second half which you would expect. Fylde started training a week before us so there was much encouragement to take.

“Those last two Saturdays are where you want to hone your squad and ensure its ready come the start of the season.”

Former Kendal winger Isaac Kusaloka started Saturday’s friendly and has since signed on for the season, as have Tommy Watson, Connor Crossley and Matt Poole.

The Mintcakes continue their preparations for the forthcoming season with a match at Lee Ashcroft’s new side Longridge Town on Saturday, while lining up against a Fleetwood Town XI at Parkside Road on Tuesday.