Kieran Hagan signs up to renewed Walsham-le-Willows side as they go three unbeaten for first time this season

Walsham-le-Willows have signed Kieran Hagan from Diss Town ahead of this weekend’s visit from Mildenhall Town in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

The Tangerines’ top scorer from last season is the first signing of returning boss Fergus O’Callaghan – swapping the assistant’s berth for the helm – who has immediately overseen better fortunes for the league’s basement side.

Walsham will go into tomorrow’s home game (3pm) with a newfound confidence, having recorded a trio of wins in all competitions for the first time this season.

They followed up their Suffolk Premier Cup 2-1 beating of Whitton United away last week with a 4-1 trouncing of them in the league on Saturday, before progressing in the League Challenge Cup via a 2-1 home win over Kirkley & Pakefield on Tuesday night.

But O’Callaghan is keen for the side not to get ahead of themselves.

“We’ve won three games,” he said. “But we’re still bottom of the league with a lot to do, so I’m taking it game by game.

“I’m just enjoying being back and boosting the fun. The lads have been under a lot of pressure and feeling it; it’s hard to play at your best with that on your head and that’s the first thing I’ve looked at.

“It seems to be bringing in a better atmosphere and some better results too.

“I think they’ve started expressing themselves more on the pitch and that’s good ahead of the Mildenhall game as they have a very good squad.

“Ricky (Cornish, manager) has a lot more of a headache than me with which team to pick and I think that’s why they’ve been inconsistent; it takes time to find the right combo – so we’re not sure what to expect.

“But it will be a tough game. It’s a good time to bring Kieran (attacking midfielder) in, hopefully he will be registered and available by Saturday; Diss have agreed to waive everything.

“I’m relishing this challenge and I think some of the boys are starting to as well.”

He added he was pleased with the attacking display of his side in their last two matches, with Walsham netting six times.

Sam Peters hit a brace on Saturday, with a goal each for Ryan Clark and Craig Nurse, while Whitton’s Duane Wright scored a consolation as Walsham picked up just their second win of the season.

Despite the three points, they remain bottom of the league, but two points away from escaping a relegation spot. The win spurred them on to Tuesday’s result, with Clark again scoring – with Kirkley equalising within a minute – before Karl Saffrey found a winner.

O’Callaghan said it was ‘deserved’.