GREAT Wakering Rovers chief Steve Butterworth believes the weekend victory over Cheshunt showed positive signs ahead of tonight’s pre-season friendly with Wakering Sports.

A Jack Stevenson brace, along with a spot-kick from Tony Martin, allowed the Isthmian North side to record a 3-1 win over the Ambers, who are managed by ex-Billericay Town boss Craig Edwards.

And Butterworth is hoping for his side to dominate proceedings this evening.

“We had a lot of the ball against Cheshunt and I’m expecting us to have a lot of the ball again tonight,” said Butterworth.

“I was pleased with how we played on Saturday and we’re already showing positive signs.

“We went with a very strong team in the first half, with us including most of the new signings and some of our best-performing players from last season.

“Although we were 2-1 up at half-time, we should have scored four or five goals because we missed a couple of sitters.

“We were really good going forward and I’m hoping that we will be able to build on that.”

However, Martin was shown a red card for violent conduct in the clash.

And Butterworth admits the dismissal may affect the frontman’s preparations for the new campaign.

“With it being a friendly, both sides made wholesale changes and that had an impact on the flow of the game,” added the Wakering chief.

“But those who came on worked their socks off and the only disappointing thing was Tony Martin getting sent off at the end of the match.

“Their centre-half went over the ball with a challenge and Tony reacted by going head-to-head with him.

“I thought their goalkeeper grabbed Tony by the throat after that but the referee only gave their goalkeeper a yellow despite sending Tony off.

“We’re now waiting to find out what happens with Tony in terms of a suspension.

“We’ve been told that his suspension will come into play from this weekend and he will miss three of the friendlies.

“Although that’s good because he won’t miss competitive matches, it’s frustrating because it won’t help his fitness ahead of the new season.”

Butterworth was pleased with how summer signings Vinny Murphy, Reece Conway, Alfie Hilton and Stevenson performed.

“The new signings were very pleasing,” admitted Butterworth.

“Vinny and Reece were solid at the back and Alfie has been our best player since coming in.

“He is very good technically and Jack was also 100 times better than he was against Sungate Athletic last Tuesday.

“Jack got two goals against Cheshunt and he looks like he has got a new lease of life.”