The new Pitching In Isthmian League north division season will kick off this Saturday.

And after six weeks of "hard graft" Lowestoft Town players and management are "looking forward" to the new campaign.

Jamie Godbold's men suffered last gasp heartache as they just missed out on promotion last season when they narrowly lost in the play-off semi finals against Heybridge Swifts - after finishing the campaign in third place.

The Trawlerboys will start the new season looking to sting the bees of Basildon United as they head to The Hive Stadium this weekend.

And they are aiming high once more - after starting last season with 10 successive league wins.

With the majority of the squad remaining at the club, and with two new signings likely to be boosted by a new recruit ahead of the season kicking off this weekend, Godbold said: "We are in a really good place and there is a positive mood around the dressing room.

"After six weeks of hard graft we are really looking forward to getting started on Saturday.

"Basildon will be a strong, physical Essex side and we'll be prepared for that.

"They will be different (in personnel) and we will be slightly different too, but this season I do think with the attacking threat we have got we should score goals."

Sam Johnson was on target in the Trawlerboys final pre-season friendly game last Saturday as they lost 1-4 to Canvey Island, in a game that was much more even than the scoreline suggests.

A busy start to the new season continues on Saturday, August 19 as Lowestoft head to Corby Town in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round before hosting Maldon and Tiptree on August 26 at the Foster's Solicitors Community Stadium, and an eagerly-awaited east coast derby against Gorleston on Monday, August 28 at The Wellesley in Great Yarmouth.