Marvin takes positives from loss to Basford

Twice in the first half Basford goals were cancelled out, first by Mason Smith and then Alfie Gaughan, but when the visitors regained the lead midway through the second half there was no coming back from that.
The Evo-Stik Premier visitors fielded a predominantly young side while Marvin was forced to make five changes to the squad which had beaten a young Mansfield Town side 4-1 five days earlier.
But the Wrens boss reflected afterwards: "It was a great workout for our fitness levels. I've already said that I would be happy to come up against new problems, and we faced some against Basford, most of which I thought we solved although it took us a bit of time.
"I can only take the positives, yes it was a loss, but we don't read too much into that in pre-season.
"They were a lively young side, they train every day which helps them. Their pattern of play was good, they tried to pull us around, they were fit, fast and a really good unit.
"We were without five players so had to make changes, we've got a couple of injuries, but that's where we are, and that's not a concern, it gave some of the younger lads the chance to stake a claim."
On Saturday Rainworth entertain fellow EMCL side Sherwood Colliery, and Marvin says that will be a good indicator of what the league will be like this season.
He continued: "While in some ways its not ideal to be playing a team from the same division, the match was arranged before they were given a promotion from the Central Midlands, and both sides were happy for it still to go ahead.
"We will have some players back and I'll give minutes to a few more lads. We've got a couple of pre-season games left, and I'm hoping after we get through them that we will hit the ground running when the season proper begins."

Updated 15:20 - 30 Aug 2019 by Gordon Foster