A NEW-LOOK Guisborough Town scored an impressive 4-0 win in their opening pre-season friendly of the season at Richmond on Saturday.

After the lengthy lay-off due to the Covid pandemic, it was great for Guisborough’s much-changed side to finally get a proper friendly match under their belts and manager Steve Bell was delighted with what he saw.

After the game he said: “This was a good performance from the lads. Obviously, it’s still early days yet but I asked the boys to keep the football really simple with it being the first game and just to go out there and work hard – and that’s exactly what they did.”

He added: “We still have four or five players either injured or unavailable at present so Richmond was a good test for our first friendly game of the season. But I have impressed on the players that everything we do from now is working towards one prime objective – our first Northern League match of the season at home to Bishop Auckland on Saturday, July 31.

“We now go again on Wednesday with our second friendly against Yarm and Eaglescliffe at the Laurence Jackson Sports Village in Guisborough. Then we have our first real friendly test against fellow Northern League opposition on Saturday, July 3 at Northallerton Town."

Next Saturday, July 10, the Priorymen have another away game at local rivals Stockton Town.

The Guisborough manager, meanwhile, has been busy in the transfer market capturing a string of promising new signings and re-signings to bolster his side. Recent acquisitions include goalkeeper Robert Dean, who has played at Northern League level or higher for more than ten years. He is an FA Vase and Northern League Division One winner and is expected to be a massive asset to Guisborough both on the pitch and as a leader off it.

The club has managed to retain the services of influential right back, Callum Martin. He re-joined Guisborough last summer via Whitby Town and Marske United, buoyed by the excellent experience he has gained in recent seasons.

Highly-talented young midfielder, JJ Bartliff, will be with the club again for the new season – he rapidly became a favourite with the KGV Stadium supporters with a string of exciting performances.