Ramsgate joint-manager Jim Ward is delighted to Nick Treadwell back in action after an horrific clash of heads in a Kent derby last season

Treadwell and Herne Bay’s Lee Browning needed hospital treatment leading to the Ryman League, Division 1 South match at Winch’s Field in February being abandoned with the latter forced to retire from the game on medical advice.

The Rams midfielder played the final half hour in the 1-0 win against Margate at Hartsdown on Saturday and Ward said: “I was ever so pleased to see him back and for the boy himself.

“We had to get a doctor’s letter to make sure he was all right to play and we only received that on the morning of the game but they were happy with his progress.”

Ward added: “The win was one for the fans but our level of fitness looked good,in what was the first of six friendlies and takes us one step down the road towards the new season.

“We worked on a couple of things including playing three at the back and looking to play with more tempo from the start, which we didn’t do last season.

“We have signed George Crimmen who played in the middle, with Kane Smith and Luke Wheatley alongside him,and Stephen Butcher and our other new signing Peter Wedgworth as the two wing-backs.”

“The other great thing is the number of youngsters who were involved, including Billy Lewins who played for the under-18s in a 3-2 win against Gillingham in the morning.

Meanwhile Rams have switched their friendly against Ashford United on Saturday to Homelands due to what are described as "unforeseen circumstances."

The game will now kick off at 11am.