Assistant manager Paul Crowson feels a place in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division’s top two is the least Moulton Harrox should be aiming for this season.
Moulton, who have finished in the top three in each of the past three seasons, kick-off their campaign with a Broad Lane derby against promoted Sutton Bridge United on Saturday (1.45pm).
Nigel Steadman’s side, who finished third behind champions Peterborough Sports Reserves and promoted Pinchbeck United last season, have retained all of last season’s squad barring keeper Lee Kenealy.
They have brought in keepers Ash Elderkin and Scott Williams, as well as talented left-sider Robbie Relf and midfielder Jake Mason, with the latter spending last season with Peterborough Northern Star.
Crowson feels “optimistic” ahead of the new campaign, having watched on as Harrox cruised past Swineshead 5-1 on Saturday, with Joe Townsend (2), Mason, Louis Steadman and John Ball bagging the goals.
But he’s warned his players to show respect to a Sutton Bridge side that scored 116 goals in 30 Division One games last season.
“Overall, pre-season has gone very well,” said the Moulton number two. “I’m optimistic that we can target a top two finish with the squad we have at our disposal.
“We managed to get most of our transfer targets, with the only ones we missed out on being those who asked for money to sign for us.
“It’s always hard to predict who will be battling for the title. I think Stamford Lions will be one to watch, while Thorney look to have made a few good signings.
“Netherton will always be a threat and I’m not sure what Peterborough Sports Reserves are doing this season.
“We’ll focus on ourselves and just aim to be in that top two, which is realistic for us.
“We’ve got a tricky start. We will give Sutton Bridge the respect they deserve, having been promoted.
“It promises to be a good game and we’ll be hoping to get that first win on the board. They obviously have good players, so it’ll be interesting.
“I hope to see plenty of fans down there as it’s part of this Groundhop weekend.”
For Sutton Bridge, the game is their first in the PDFL’s top tier in recent memory.
Speaking to the PDFL’s official Twitter account (@PDFLUK), their secretary David Earth admitted that avoiding relegation is Bridge’s top aim this term.
He said: “Our aim is to avoid relegation, but we are still aiming to be close to the top half of the table. We think we have the quality of players to achieve that, but it’s hard to judge as we haven’t played a lot of the sides in this division before.”
As the game is part of the Groundhop weekend, there is a charge for entering Broad Lane on Saturday.
It’s £4 for adults, with all of those under-16s going free. Programmes are £1.
There will also be a barbecue and refreshments on the day.
- Full Groundhop schedule: Friday – Huntingdon v Pinchbeck (7.45pm). Saturday – Holbeach v Sleaford (10.45am); Moulton v Sutton Bridge (1.45pm); Spalding Town v WSM Saints (4.30pm); Bourne v Raunds (7.45pm). Sunday – Long Sutton v Tydd (11am); Leverington v ICA Sports (2pm); Wisbech v Wellingborough (5pm).
