BOSS Marc Benterman is excited by the pace and goal threat that his Witham Town forward line will have this year after adding some impressive signings to his squad ahead of their opening pre-season game this weekend.

The Town boss said he will be proud to lead his home town team for the first time when they head to Thurlow Nunn League division one south side Harwich & Parkeston on Saturday and Witham fans will get a chance to see their new-look team.

Benterman has had to build a squad pretty much from scratch since taking over following the departure of Mark Ashford and has been keen to bring in players with strong connections to Witham Town and the local area.

That has continued with his latest additions with the likes of Liam Whipps, Shamido Pedulu and Jacob Cleaver coming on board and Benterman has also added Jett Hogan, George Bugg and Chris Taylor as his squad continues to take impressive shape.

They are giving Witham an exciting look going forward and Benterman knows opposing defences will be tested in Isthmian League division north this year.

He said: "Last year, when I was at Stansted, we had the sixth best defensive record at that level in the UK and we will be tight again here at Witham, but you can't win games without putting the ball in the back of your opponents' net.

"We will have four or five forward players with real pace and energy and that shows how we will play this year.

"The team didn't score enough goals last year, so we have addressed that issue and we feel we have raw pace and goals throughout now. "We have the pace that can murder teams and I'm feeling very excited by that.

"I'm looking forward to leading the team for the first time on Saturday when I'll be proud to manage my home town club for the first time and Witham fans will get a chance to see what we've been doing.

"There are still one or two areas that we are looking to strengthen, but we're very pleased with what we have done so far."