htafc.com talked to Town boss Andy Ritchie today in the wake of the 3-1 friendly win over Hucknall Town yesterday evening and ahead of tonight's game at Bradford Park Avenue.

"We were pleased with quite a lot of things last night", said Andy. "Hucknall gave us a stiffer test than Bridlington or Emley had done and they came out strong in the first ten minutes, but I felt we defended well during that period and then we took complete control of the first-half.

"They came out much quicker and sharper for the second-half and caught us a bit cold. I was a little bit disappointed that nobody on the pitch really got a hold of us and refocused us - they are all young players, but we had some real experience out there in the form of Andy (Holdsworth), Luke (Beckett) and Mirf who have played a lot of games between them and we were looking for a little bit more leadership.

"Having said that, I felt that our reply after their goal was good as we took control of the game again."

Town's three goals at Watnall Road last night took the pre-season total to 12 in just three games and Ritchie admitted he was pleased at this statistic.

"It's been great that we have scored so many goals in our three friendlies so far and it's especially pleasing that the new lads have been knocking them in. Danny (Cadamarteri) and Malvin (Kamara) are attacking players and we would expect them to score goals in pre-season friendlies; they have done precisely that."

Ritchie split the squad into two parties at the start of this week, with one set going to Hucknall and the other players featuring in this evening's game.

"We sorted the squad out based on where people live, but we're taking quite a strong one tonight as a result. Getting players 90 minutes was the key to last night and it's much the same against Bradford Park Avenue this evening.

"Tom Clarke is going to play 45 minutes tonight at Bradford Park Avenue, which is another 15 minutes on top of what he has managed previously. He had a little bit of an early setback when his knee felt a little tight and sore, but that was just a reaction to the workload he had done. Since then, he has come through with flying colours; his knee has been fine and everyone has seen how he is throwing himself into challenges, so his confidence is certainly there.

"Nathan (Clarke) will feature too and all he is lacking now is real match fitness, hence we will be looking to play him the whole game tonight."

Town had originally planned to use two trialists from Harrogate Railway in tonight's game but with Ritchie keen to get his own players the full 90 minutes, this idea has been put on hold.

For ticket and travel information about tonight's game at Bradford Park Avenue, click HERE.

Simon Eastwood, Alex Smithies, Nathan Clarke, Frank Sinclair, Tom Clarke, Shane Killock, James Berrett, Malvin Kamara, Michael Collins, Jon Worthington, Chris Brandon, Mitchell Bailey, Andy Booth, Danny Cadamarteri, Lucas Akins, Luke Malcher