YOKER Athletic’s first team, under-20s and three youth squads now all have their first friendly matches under their belts as pre-season preparations gather pace after football’s lengthy lockdown lay-off.

The managers of all the teams were anxious to get some minutes playing time into the legs of the players for the first time in six months, and get their match fitness built up.

The weekend included a few disappointing results – not least a heavy defeat for the first team against leading amateur side Dumbarton Academy FP – but the opportunity to size up their new signings, as well as look at how the new boys gel with players who were at Holm Park last season, was seized by all the teams’ managers and coaches.

A club spokesman said: “This week will also see the sides have a few more friendlies, allowing them more actual playing time, and the managers are using these matches as a useful tool to get everyone playing in a match and also using them to work out their best starting line ups and formations.

“As with all clubs as we get back to playing in preparation for the new season everyone at Yoker Athletic have asked the supporters of all the clubs teams to understand that they have to follow the SFA and Scottish Government guidelines for returning to playing.

“This unfortunately means that the club cannot allow any spectators into the ground for any of these matches.

“We understand that this is frustrating for all supporters who are keen to see a match, and especially for the parents of the youth academy teams who want to watch their kids play.

“We ask all parents and supporters to help by following the guidelines and staying away, until we get the green light to allow supporters back into the ground again.”