Eynesbury Rovers manager Mark Ducket is celebrating the capture of his number one transfer target.

Rovers have completed the signing of highly-rated frontman Craig Smith from United Counties League Premier Division rivals Peterborough Northern Star.

The Sawtry-based striker hit 23 goals last term – his first at non-league level after previously playing for his home village in the Peterborough & District League.

Now he has been challenged to spearhead a Rovers side bidding to build on a fine top-six finish last season.

Ducket said: “I first tried to sign him back in January but he wanted to stay at Northern Star for the rest of last season.

“I was always going to make another move for him this summer and I’m over the moon to have managed to bring in my number one target.

“He is a player who proved his ability to score goals at this level, and he did so in a team that finished in the bottom half of the table.

“Hopefully he will make us a bit more ruthless as a team. We created plenty of chances last season and didn’t take anywhere near enough of them - and that’s something I had to address.

“He is still raw and is someone myself and my coaching team are looking forward to developing him further.

“There is no doubt in my mind he can become a Step 3 or Step 4 player in the future if he makes the most of this opportunity.

“I’m delighted with the way our squad is shaping up ahead of an important season. It is essential we continue to move forward after making such good progress last season and a top-six finish will be our minimum target.

“That certainly won’t be easy, though. A lot of teams who under-achieved last season have invested quite heavily this summer, whereas there is an argument that we perhaps over-achieved.

“It is up to myself, my coaches and the players to prove that wasn’t the case.”

Ducket is also keen on two of Smith’s former Northern Star team-mates - Michael Mackrell and Hayden Bream.

Mackrell is an athletic right-back while Bream, who has played at St Ives Town in the past, is an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal.

Ducket is due to run the rule over four potential goalkeepers when Rovers begin pre-season training on Saturday, July 2.

The Eynesbury boss is also happy to welcome any prospective players to that first session at Hall Road (noon-2pm). He can be contacted on 07833 457323.