CANTERBURY City play their final pre-season friendly against Vandanel Kent County League newcomers Premier FC at Hersden tomorrow (Friday).

And manager Dave Fairclough believes that his side are now more or less ready for their KCL Division 1 East opener at home to Betteshanger Welfare – one of his former clubs – a week on Saturday.

As City prepare for the challenge of life in a higher division following last season’s promotion, Fairclough was able to draw considerable encouragement from last Saturday’s 2-1 victory over KCL Division 1 West outfit Westerham.

He said: “We looked solid defensively, our link-up play was good and we created lots of chances

“Having managed at this level for quite a long time, first with Walmer Rovers and then Betteshanger, I have a pretty good idea of what is required and feel our team only needs a little fine tuning now.

“We have already played 11 pre-season matches and I know the players want to get into the competitive stuff now but Premier will provide us with a good final work-out.”

After the disappointment of the previous week’s defeat to Maidstone Reserves, Fairclough felt that the return of key players like goalkeeper Danny Black and striker Wayne Fittall, who scored a superb winning goal, made all the difference against Westerham.

He added: “We knocked the ball around well and could easily have scored three or four more goals.”

Fairclough said that he was still interested in signing experienced midfielder Mickey Lane, who played as a triallist in the Maidstone game, but added: “Mickey has got work commitments and hasn’t made his mind up yet.

“But we have got plenty of options in midfield already and so it will be a bonus if he does decide to join us.”