STAND ATHLETIC's preparations towards North West Counties League football this coming season are well under way.

Last Saturday they played in a comfortable opening pre-season friendly against Oldham side Springhead.

This was the first chance for Stand to put some of their new signings to the test and no-one was disappointed with the outcome as Stand recorded a 3-2 win.

Although Springhead opened the scoring, goal machine Micky Bartholomew soon put Stand back on level terms from close range after good approach work from Neil Dawes on the right.

Then it was the turn of the new boys to show what they are made of. Some good work created the space for former Altrincham player Steve Carroll to hammer home a blistering , long-range shot that swerved out of the goalkeeper's reach and into the net.

The second half saw no let-up from Stand, who now dictated the match to their own pace. Once again a sweeping move saw Stuart Telfer released on the right and his cross-shot was met by former Bury player Lee Andersen whose header at the back post found the bottom corner of the net.

Despite a late Springhead goal, Stand's first outing was a positive and good start.

As well as Lee Andersen and Lee Carroll signing for the club, Stand hope to bring in Andy Walker and Karl Kavanagh from Wythenshawe Amateurs and Prestwich Heys respectively in the coming weeks.

These players may well feature in Stand's game at Flixton tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) or the matches at Ewood Bridge against Altrincham on Wednesday August 8 (kick-off 7pm) and against Clitheroe on Saturday August 11 (kick-off 3pm).