YOKER boss Steven Reilly says the friendlies last week were just the test his players needed for the upcoming season.
The Whe-Ho played Johnstone Burgh on Wednesday, coming out 4-1 victors and they lost 1-0 to Premier League side Arthurlie on Saturday.
But the Athletic boss said that this was all about getting match sharpness for the players, and that the result was secondary to the run out.
He said: “The Johnston Burgh game was a good test for us, and we won 4-1.
“Then we played Arthurlie on Saturday, we lost 1-0 but it was a good workout for us.
“They’re a Premier League side so it showed us a lot, we were able to show where we’re heading.
“We’ve got 23 players signed and everybody got a run out.
“Fitness wise, there’s still a wee bit to go, they’ve got a good base of fitness there from the work we’ve done but I think it’s just the match sharpness now.
“We didn’t play too well in the first half against a good Arthurlie side.
“In the second half we were much better and we should have won the game, apart from their keeper making a lot of great saves which kept them in the game so it was a good workout for us and they’re a good side. 
Reilly also revealed that long serving defender John Harvey was taking a year out from football.
He added: “It’s a big blow for us. 
“John’s a great player, he’s experienced, he’s a player that’s been around Yoker a long time and you need guys like that in the dressing room and the squad. 
“We’ve not got many guys with experience so that’s a big blow for us but I wish him all the best.
“He’s just got married and he’s got his job as well. I think he just wants to take a step back from it, he was missing training because of his work. 
“The way he wants to be is to be playing constantly, he can’t just be turning up for games and stuff, letting the boys down so that was the reason for it.
“I said the door is always open for him to come back.”
And the manager also confirmed the arrival of Kenny Hadden, who has been on trial with Yoker.
“We’ve signed Kenny Hadden, he was out in America coaching so he’ll be a good experienced addition to the team, and we’re looking for one more player now – a central defender, just to give us more options at the back.” 
Yoker Athletic would like to thank Sunshine Electrical for their recent and continued support of the club.