Rainworth Miners Welfare are looking forward eagerly to the visit of League Two side Macclesfield Town on Thursday night after getting off to a winning start on Saturday.

The Silkmen's manager Keith Alexander sent a full first team to Rainworth for a pre-season friendly last season and went home with a 2-0 victory, but gave the Wrens immense credit for their contribution to an entertaining match.

So, he readily agreed to return to Kirklington Road this season, and has again indicated that he will send as strong a side as he can to the newly promoted Northern Counties East League Premier Division club.

Speaking after the Silkmen had lost 1-0 at Blue Square North side Alfreton Town, Alexander said: "I will send a good side again, but it might be a little bit younger because there are a few players I want to look at.

"It will be our fourth game but there are still a number of players I want to look at, but we enjoyed coming to Rainworth last season. It's a nice set-up and Rudy Funk and I are good friends so I will send the strongest team I can."

Wrens boss Funk said he would be happy with whatever side the Cheshire visitors bring to Rainworth: "Whatever side Keith brings I know they will do us proud and give us a very hard game, and I'm looking forward very much to the occasion," he added.

In Saturday's local derby friendly at Clipstone Andy Jones - who missed the whole of last season through injury - marked his return with the opening goal in a 5-1 victory.

Reflecting on the game, manager Funk said: "Yes it was a comprehensive win to start pre-season campaign. From where Billy Millar and I are standing we wanted to see certain performances from players, how they worked and maintained their discipline.

"Conditions were difficult for both sides in the strong wind. In the first half we didn't do ourselves justice with one or two new faces but we changed the style of play to how I want to play, and in the second half we took control.

"In these matches results are of secondary importance but we've seen a number of good performances and, I was particularly impressed by half time substitutes Dave Durrant and Julian Topliss.

"Hopefully we can push on in our pre-season campaign and transfer this kind of form into the season proper.

"Everything is running very nicely and smoothly and the new lads who have come into the club have shown tremendous attitudes and sharing the banter and camaraderie with the established players.

"It seems to me that we have put together a good side and are in for a cracking season."

Durrant is the Wrens' latest signing, from Eastwood Town, and played the second half on the right side where he looked an impressive capture and Topliss was always a handful for the home defence going forward.

Matt Baxter showed what a class acquisition he is from Hucknall Town, pulling the strings in midfield, and there was more good news for Wrens fans with long term injury victim Nathan Hollingworth making his first appearance since mid-September 10 minutes into the second half.

Off-the-field, Rainworth have a vacancy for a club photographer after the surprise resignation of Wayne Griffin last week for personal reasons which make it hard for him to continue.

Wayne, who also ran the Wrens' two web sites, has parted on good terms with the club who wish him well, but his sudden departure has left Rainworth in urgent need of a replacement so close to the start of the season.

Anyone interested in joining an ambitious and forward-looking club in this capacity should contact the Wrens' media manager Gordon Foster on 01623 794281 or 07841 917242, or email to gord@rainworth.hsnet.co.uk.

Alternatively log onto the club's website at www.intheteam.com/WRENYOURESMILING and post a message and contact details in the guestbook.