Wanderers’ new B team kicks off its public pre-season preparations with a trip to play neighbours Atherton Collieries tonight (Wednesday).
The Whites have recruited half-a-dozen new young players to blend with the homegrown talent being developed in the B squad under Matt Craddock and player-coach Andrew Tutte.
The new faces will be on show at Atherton, with defenders Adam Senior and Max Conway (below centre) – who have been involved at first-team level during pre-season – also set to feature.
The trip to the Skuna Stadium (KO 7.45pm) is the first of four scheduled warm-up games for the B team, which will play a mix of competitive fixtures in the Central Reserve League and hand-picked friendlies during the 2022/23 season as the Whites seek to bridge the gap between Academy and first-team football.
“It’s the first run-out for them,” said boss Ian Evatt.
“It’s a great opportunity. The training has been excellent. I have witnessed some of it and the intensity and quality is there for all to see, so hopefully they can replicate that tonight.”
Atherton have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their pre-season programme as they build up towards the start of the Northern Premier League season on 13 August.
Admission to tonight’s game is adults £8 and concessions £5 and £3, with U11s and members of Atherton’s 1916 Club free.