Back to the old routine

Mark Boggis

Pre-season football has returned with a bang as the town's top two teams gear-up for the new campaign.

Both Lowestoft and Kirkley and Pakefield have been in action this week - and they've fared similarly well, with draws in their opening matches.

Lowestoft drew 2-2 at home to Sheringham on Monday as the management duo of Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher used a 20-man squad in their first friendly.

For Nick Shorten's K&P side, there have been warm-up games away at both Hadleigh and Diss, as the club's Walmer Road pitch continues to be prepared in readiness for the new campaign.

The games were drawn - 1-1 on Saturday at Hadleigh (Lee Hunter) and 3-3 on Tuesday at Diss (Justin Fox, two, Lee Gilman) - as the squad was utilised both times.

All of last season's first team squad have re-signed for FA Vase finalists Lowestoft - and they've been joined by goalkeeper Dave Attridge from K&P, left back Jack Marsden from Gorleston and defenders Richard Gillings and former youth player Sean Blowers.

The Journal can reveal that K&P have signed talented central defender James Cole from Essex-side Wivenhoe, and he's been joined by former Cheltenham trainee Matt Shutt. Norfolk-born Cole previously played, for Barnet and made a handful of substitute appearances before being released before Christmas last year.

A delighted Nick Shorten said: “James has excelled from a young age, most recently at Wivenhoe where he came away with the two main awards, which is a considerable achievement for such a short stay.

“Matt has also had an accomplished career in football to date, starting as a trainee at Cheltenham and recently playing on his travels in the Hong Kong professional league.

“Both these players now give us the competition we have been looking for all over the outfield positions,” he added.