LAUNCESTON joint boss Neil Price feels his side are ready to push on in South West Peninsula League Premier West following last season’s tough run of results.

The Clarets finished bottom, but Price, who has since seen Simon Minett arrive to lend a helping hand alongside new first team coach Rob Davis, believes they can reach mid-table.

They started their season with an encouraging 1-1 draw at Holsworthy, courtesy of Will Gilbert’s free-kick, and are next in action tonight (Wednesday, August 13) when they visit a Wadebridge Town side who are expected to be amongst the leading contenders.

Price, who has made over a dozen signings, as well as losing key midfielder Jacob Ham to Camelford, told the Post: “We had a really good pre-season, only losing to Bideford who are two leagues higher than us and then beat Okehampton (1-0), Plymstock (3-2) and Stoke Gabriel (3-2).

“We knew there wasn’t going to be any relegation last season so in the autumn we took the decision to give a lot of the young lads game time, and although we knew that would affect us in the short-term with results, I still felt we were unlucky to finish bottom.

“We’ve upgraded the team massively and got some much-needed Step Six experience in, so that when the younger boys do come in, we’ll be a better side to aid their development. We’ll be a lot stronger with a lot more nous and ready to deal with the challenges we face.”

Price feels outside of the top four or five, anybody can finish as the best of the rest.

He said: “Liskeard, Wadebridge and Elburton Villa will be very strong, Penzance will be in and around the top four or five, while it’s a bit early to say what Falmouth’s reserves will be like and also Truro City Reserves considering they’ve partnered with Helston.

“As for the rest, I think anybody could finish between fifth and 10th, but for us a good season will be being in the middle of the table, winning as many as we lose and making sure we’re competitive in each and every game.

“On top of that we obviously want to keep the pathway going with Southgate and bringing the younger players in when it’s the right time.”

Price is delighted with how the whole club are shaping up. He continued: “I’ve known Simon for the last two-and-a-half years and I’m really enjoying working with him, as I am with Paul Hider and Rob Davis. Everybody brings different things to the table, but we’ve got a really good management team in place.

“We’ve also got Sam Harris in to do the reserves. He’s a really good young coach with a UEFA B licence and will be really good for the young lads in that team, and with Steve (Stoppard) and Tom Rutter doing the thirds, it means the club is in a really good place to push the club on slowly but surely.”

Launceston’s key incomings: Goalkeeper: Howie Evans (Sticker); Defenders: Tom Manuel (Bodmin); Jude Jago (Helston); Ollie Brown (Bodmin); Midfielders: Will Gilbert (Liskeard); Tom Moynan (Liskeard); Sam Tattersall (Bodmin); Jack Stephens (Mount Gould); James McNary (Wadebridge); Gabe Rutter (youth football); Attackers: Ethan Gwillam (Liskeard); Joe Jasper (Mount Gould).

Departures: Josh Harris (Camelford); Ben Harrison (North Petherwin); Jacob Ham (Camelford); Ollie Northam (Tavistock).