ENFIELD Town Ladies concluded their pre-season programme with a 3-3 to Premier League Southern Division side West Ham United.

That followed on from an 8-1 win at home to Acton Sports women and a 2-1 win at Denham United Ladies.

Although last season’s top scorer Kelly Townshend has not found the target in the three warm-up games, youngster Bianca Baptiste has been in great form in front of the net, while the defenders have also weighed in with a few goals.

Baptiste is one of half a dozen very good players who have stepped up to the first team squad from last season’s under-16s.

Town have also made a number of new signings with Laura Dunn (Rushden & Diamonds), Shannon Maloney (Brighton), Lisa Kline and Anna Stevens (both Chesham) joining up with the majority of last year’s squad which finished third in the table.

Club captain Claire Gooch said: “After a very good pre-season programme and retaining much of last year’s squad as well as adding a number of quality players we are looking forward to the start of the season.

“We really must look to challenge for promotion this season to do our squad justice.”

Manager John Abbott added: “After a good season last time we need to push on. I am very encouraged by the players that I now have at my disposal and know that all the new arrivals will leave us a lot stronger throughout the team. The season can’t start soon enough.”

Town start the new campaign away to the rennamed Wellingborough Diamonds on Sunday, before two home matches against Norwich City and Bedford Town Belles the following two weekends.