Boss wants Harleston at the 'top end'

Adam Gusterson is hopeful his newly-promoted Harleston Town side will be challenging at the top end of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North table this season.

Having been crowned champions of the Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination Premier Division last term, Harleston are preparing for a first ever campaign as a Step 6 side.

Off the field it is a leap into the unknown for the club, but Gusterson has a squad with a number of players who have Thurlow Nunn League experience and higher.

And Gusterson believes that could be enough for Harleston to make an impression over the coming months.

“It is new territory for the club and we need to sort some stuff out off the pitch, but it is an exciting chapter,” he said.

“We needed to build a bigger and better squad, which we have done. I feel we are in a much better place in that sense then 12 months ago.

“At the very least I want us to be competitive, but we are a successful team and have retained the majority of last season’s squad.

“That winning mentality will hopefully carry us a long way and if it does, why can’t we be challenging at the top end?

“We have not made this move up just to exist or finish in the top 10, we want to push on.

“It is down to us. Last year we might have got away with being a little bit lax and sloppy, but we will punished this year.

“If we perform to our levels, we can be a match for anyone.”

In terms of incomings, Nathan Russell has returned following a stint with Gorleston, while Sam Borrer, Kyle Baker, Mark Shadrack, Charlie Roe and Dammy Camish have also arrived.

Harleston open up the season at home against Swaffham Town tomorrow (3pm), before travelling to Debenham LC on Tuesday (7.45pm).