Jake Reed and Adam Hipperson were both on target within the opening 15 minutes of last Saturday's friendly against Kirkley and Pakefield at Walmer Road.

With 21 squad players being used on the day, The Royals hit back after the interval with two late goals in an entertaining 2-2 draw that was played in front of a good crowd.

Reed was on target with a double last Tuesday night, with a triallist adding a third as Lowestoft lifted the Brian Gallagher trophy as the annual home curtain-raiser against Waveney FC finished 3-1.

Of the return to action, Blues boss Jamie Godbold said: "Its good to get back on the pitch and great to be back in front of home supporters at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

"We've had a couple of good games and run outs where the majority of the squad have got some good minutes under their belts.

"On Saturday we almost had two different teams in both halves. It was a competitive game where I thought we had control of the game in the first half, but then in the second half - maybe because of all the changes - I felt we forgot our defensive responsibilities.

Pre season is about trying different things, different systems, having people play in different positions to make sure we go into the league season knowing we can adapt to changes in personnel with players missing, or change to the situation of the game.

"So from a tactical point of view to be able to do that now is important.

"The Waveney game was a good workout and another tough test for us, and it was good to get a win early on in the season.

"Certainly the lads have come back in great physical shape, with the work Cion has done throughout the off season.

"We are always looking to add quality to the squad and we're pleased with the capture of new signing Tom Fitzgerald, a young central midfielder who had played quite a lot of games for Needham Market over the past couple of years.

"He will come into the squad in an area where we are quite strong and it is good having competition for places.

"I spoke with Kevin Horlock (the Needham manager) and he was keen for Tom to stay as he rates him highly, so we're really pleased to have a good young prospect who has fantastic potential join us.

"We are still on the hunt to add quality to the quality in the squad that we already have, and a number of triallists will be with us that we'll monitor over the coming games.

"We have lost Josh Harvey and Owen Lane, and obviously we knew about Knightsy (Harry Knights) at the end of the season, but apart from that we are as was."

Lowestoft's scheduled home friendly this Saturday against Norwich United has been cancelled, with club officials still hoping to add a fixture.

Of the Corby draw away in the FA Cup, Godbold said: "Its a competition that comes around really quickly early on in the season, so we have to hit the ground running"