DRUIDS ended their pre-season preparations with a goalless draw at Cymru Alliance side Llandudno.

Although The Ancients failed to find the net, the most pleasing aspect for joint player-managers Lee Jones and Waynne Phillips was that the makeshift side – which was missing some 11 players and had several youth players making an appearance at some stage – kept a clean sheet.

Phillips said: “It wasn’t a great game. It was difficult for us as we had so many players missing.

“I told the squad that it was a must that we keep a clean sheet. It didn’t matter if we didn’t score or create many chances as long as we kept them out, which we did.

“I’m happy we never conceded, but there is still room for improvement as I felt that Llandudno were the better side and, if they had a little more quality, they would have beaten us.”

The match saw Josh Russell, Mark Brown and Khoz Hematinafar get a taste of the action, much to Phillips’ delight.

“Josh found it difficult,” he said, “but he did ok. Mark and Khoz will have gained experience from playing, too.”

Another aspect that pleased Phillips was capturing the signature of Kevin Holsgrove.

The 19-year-old left-winger has impressed Druids’ management team in the last two friendlies, and he was signed up immediately after Saturday’s friendly.

Phillips said: “He’s shown us something that we have liked and he is eager to come on board with us.

“It might be a case of him being in the shop window when he is with us. But nothing pleases Lee and myself more than someone moving on in their career from us maybe into the Football League.

“If that was to happen we would certainly not stand in a player’s way.”

With the season opener against defending champions The New Saints now less than a week away, Phillips spoke of the plan for the match on Friday.

“We’ve got to go out there and be hard to break down and beat,” he said.

“We’re training on Tuesday night and will have a rough idea as to who is likely to figure in the squad for the game.

“I don’t think any player has nailed a place in the team just yet as they have all been much of a muchness. There is plenty of room for improvement.”

“Lee and myself will sit down after Tuesday. We have got to pick what we feel is the best team for Friday.”