Lowestoft Town director of football Craig Fleming is ready to start fine-tuning his starting XI for the first game of the season after another decent work-out against Billericay Town on Saturday.

Pre-season friendly

Lowestoft Town 0 Billericay Town 1

Lowestoft Town director of football Craig Fleming is ready to start fine-tuning his starting XI for the first game of the season after another decent work-out against Billericay Town on Saturday.

Rob Swaine's goal on the stroke of half-time was the difference between the two sides but Fleming insisted the result was of secondary importance to getting more match minutes into his squad.

Several players were rested after playing in the 2-2 draw against a young Norwich City XI on Friday evening but believes he is now in a position to start making some important decisions over who will be in his starting line-up come the first game of the season at Whitehawk on August 18.

'That is probably the last game where it's all about fitness – now we really start to nail things down and work towards that first game of the season,' said Fleming, whose side face Needham Market on Tuesday evening. 'There wasn't too much between the two teams today – that was pretty much their full XI.

'We had a pretty mix and match sort of side after last night but all in all it was very good. We now want to start thinking seriously about that first game.'

Andrew Fisk was the stand-out player for the Blues on Saturday, often demonstrating a killer eye for a pass to go with the competitiveness he brings to the midfield. Unfortunately, the cutting edge wasn't there for the Trawlerboys up front with Nathan Stone and Michael Frew both spurning decent first half opportunities.

It was also another chance for the Blues management team to see how the Portuguese trialists, Amando and Osiris, handled a game situation and Fleming said a decision on whether they will be added to the squad on a permanent basis will be made shortly.

'I've seen them a lot now and we will sit down and have a good think about it,' he said. 'They have certainly got something to work with.

'We are still looking to add one, maybe two, if the right people become available. We've got a very strong squad when everyone is fit and to put two very strong teams out on consecutive days shows what a good squad we've got.'

Fleming is pleased with the business he has been able to do over the summer so far and feels the club is in a good position to make it third time lucky in their quest for promotion out of the Ryman League Premier division.

'There is a good buzz about the place,' he added. 'As it is at this time of year with holidays and that sort of thing, we haven't had the full set together yet.

'The next two games we will have on Tuesday and Saturday and then I think we will see the real strength in depth that we've got.'

Lowestoft Town (4-4-2): Jessup, Saker, Gaughran, Crane, Eagle, Lee Smith, Amando (Mitchell 66), Francis, Frew, Stone (Osiris 66). Subs not used: Jones, Clark.

Billericay Town (4-4-2): Stadelmann, Oates, Wild, Swaine, Reynolds, Lechmere, B Smith, Poole, Chatting, May, Osborne.

Referee: Shon Meale

Attendance: 188