New Godmanchester boss Matt Clements wants to turn James Hall into a goal machine.

Hall has agreed to return to the club after finishing last season at higher-level St Ives Town.

And Clements has challenged him to fill part of the goalscoring void left by the transfer of 53-goal Tom Meechan to St Neots earlier this summer.

Clements said: “James has spent a lot of his time playing wide, but I believe he can make a name for himself as a striker.

“He is a great lad, but he can sometimes be a bit down on himself and that needs to stop.

“He has to believe in his ability because he can become a really consistent goalscorer.”

Hall is due to sign on the dotted line this week along with twin brother Jonny, a left-back.

Several key members of the squad that finished as Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division runners-up last season during the club’s best-ever campaign have also put pen to paper.

They include defenders Taylor Parr and Tom Moran, midfield ace Michael Hyem and wideman Austen Diaper.

Clements has also persuaded midfielder Simon Unwin and attacker Dan Kerrigan to follow him from former club Hardwick.

Although they will both be stepping up two levels from the Cambs Premier, both have previous experience of Conference football.

Godmanchester drew 1-1 with Peterborough Northern Star in their first friendly outing of the summer on Saturday. An own goal gave them the edge before two former St Ives players combined to haul Star level. Hayden Bream, delivered a corner headed in by Luke Smith.

Godmanchester fared considerably better than near neighbours Huntingdon who were thumped 6-0 by lower-level Peterborough Sports at Jubilee Park.

That came hot on the heels of a 3-0 loss to a youthful Histon side last Wednesday.

Town are suffering from a shortage of players and were forced to cancel a scheduled reserve friendly against the Sports second string.

FRIENDLY FIXTURES

Saturday, July 18: Eynesbury Rovers v St Ives, Arlesey Tn v Godmanchester, Huntingdon v ICA Sports, St Neots Tn v Hendon.

Tuesday, July 21: Godmanchester v Potton, Olney v Eynesbury.