Walsham-le-Willows boss Trevor Newman thinks his side are ready for top six in league
They may have lost some big players but Trevor Newman believes his seven signings have led to an improved all-round Walsham-le-Willows squad that are capable of breaking into the top six.
The Willows proved to be somewhat of a surprise package under their new manager in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division last season as they threatened to record their best ever finish at Step 5 until their results trailed off before finishing ninth. It was still their best season in five years.
The off-season saw them lose their only two players to hit double figures in front of goal last season. Jack Brame, who plundered 20 goals, has gone to Mildenhall Town, who have been relegated into the division, while 15-goal George Bugg is stepping up to play for Witham Town.
But Newman is confident about getting the best out of former Felixstowe & Walton United and Debenham LC marksman Craig Jennings and the returning Ryan Clark, after his part season at Stowmarket Town, his new signings can take over their mantle.
“All five who have left would have been starting and will be a big miss, but I am hopeful the players I have brought in will do just as good a job.
“Jennings will score goals and Ryan Clark will score goals, he did before Stowmarket.
“The midifelders and two centre-halves look like they will weigh in too, so I think we will be okay.
“But if anything I think the squad is slightly stronger. I think we have got 22 players who are more than capable of playing in the team and last year we probably had 15 to 16.
“Perhaps our biggest challenge will be trying to keep everyone happy.”
And Newman’s side will certainly have lofty ambitions when they kick off the season in tonight’s opening fixture at Thetford Town (7.45pm), who finished 14th last term but are now without the league’s leading scorer, Valter Rocha.
“The aim is to try and win it, I am not saying we are going to but the top six would be good and I think we can do that,” said Newman.
Defensively, Andrew Cusack (Thetford Town) and Kyle Saffrey (Bury Town) have both moved on.
But former Ipswich Town and Cambridge United professional Ian Miller has been their marquee capture, coming across from Bury Town, as he ventures into his first player-coach role. He is also set to have experience alongside him at centre-back with Nathan Clarke having returned to the club after a summer move from Thetford to higher-league Witham Town did not work out.
As in previous seasons, the cricket season means Walsham will have to negotiate their way through six away league matches before enjoying the home comforts at Summer Road. They do, however, have scheduled home games in the FA Cup (August 10) and FA Vase (August 31) before then.
Newman said he was a bit miffed as to why they have to wait until August 21 to play they second league fixture, at Woodbridge Town.
Assessing the league, he believes it will be tight at the top with Stowmarket, Newmarket and Woodbridge set to lead the way.
