Penrith and Workington will meet tonight in a Cumbrian derby friendly at Frenchfield as both sides step-up their preparation for respective seasons in the Northern League and the Northern Premier League.
Darren Edmondson, in particular, is beefing up training as he has games set for Thursday night, Saturday and next Tuesday.
Edmondson, a former Workington manager, led Penrith to their best Northern League finish for years last season and hopes to continue their progress this time round.
“Our squad isn’t that much different. We have lost a couple of players while Johnny Murray and Martyn Coleman have re-joined us. The thing is it’s not a very big pool for players around here and the other non-League clubs around us are fishing in it as well.
“We start a week on Saturday, July 27, so I want to get as much game time as I can foe the players before then,” said Edmondson.
Although they have met nine times at this time of year at Frenchfield this will be the first time that Reds have played them on the new 3G surface.
That should hold no fears for Mark Fell’s side with several artificial surfaces now established in the NPL over recent years.
Fell was well-pleased with his side’s effort against Carlisle on Saturday in the 0-0 home draw and as a consequence senior players like Steven Rigg, a former Penrith striker, are likely to be rested ahead of Saturday’s visit of Morecambe.
He had a number of trialists in the side against United but is still talking to two in particular, without being able to announce any signing.
Romeo Park, who has played in the friendlies so far, including Saturday, after being released by United has opted to sign for Carlisle City in the Northern League.
