BUDE Town joint boss Ben Potter admits the aim is to ‘win it’ as they prepare for their SWPL Premier West opener at Bodmin Town this afternoon (3pm).

The Seasiders enjoyed an excellent first season at Step Six last term, finishing fifth, a position which could have been better.

However with the club building on and off the pitch, exciting times could lie ahead at Broadclose Park as they look to better last year’s efforts.

From last year’s squad, just midfielder Scott Piper (Tavistock) and defender Harley Westlake (Launceston) have moved on with five new recruits.

At the back, Dave Youldon joins his hometown club on a permanent basis from Millbrook, while former Holsworthy and Torrington defender Carlo Chandler is also there.

Piper’s place has gone to Mitch McCann from Frome Town, while former Plymouth Argyle youngster Ben Musselwhite has arrived from Ilfracombe to add pace down the flanks.

Striker Gary Clarke has also rejoined from Bradworthy.

Potter feels they are well-placed and that his new signings have already made a big impact.

He said: “Dave is a ball-playing centre-back which allows us to play out from the back more.

“Also with us now having Mitch McCann in central midfield, it’s allowed us to link the defence and midfield better.

“Ben provides plenty of pace and will create chances while Gary is looking the fittest he has ever been and been one of our better players in pre-season.”

Despite winning and scoring plenty of goals last season, they have been working on a specific style as opposed to relying on moments of magic.

Potter said: “We’re looking to play better football and keep possession more to produce fast, attacking football.

“We’ll be playing a 4-3-3 as it suits our talents going forward.”

Potter feels they are ready to get going, particularly after an encouraging pre-season performance wise.

He said: “Throughout we brought a couple of the second teamers into the fold and they more than held their own, and the signings we’ve made have fitted in brilliantly.

“We’ve managed to try out 28 players over pre-season which has left us with some real selection headaches for Saturday at Bodmin.”

Potter is never shy with the club’s ambition.

He said: “We want to try and win it.

“The club is going in the right direction with ground developments due to start in September which will see more pitches built around the main pitches, a couple of stands around the main pitch and planning permission being put in for a new clubhouse and changing rooms, and we want to be pushing for the Western League.

“But we know that with players dropping down from higher divisions it’ll be much tougher, and I think the first game on Saturday will be a real test.

“Bodmin have signed somewhere near 15 players over the summer.

“Then we’ve also got Liskeard coming up in the first round of the League Cup, so that’ll give us a good idea as to how strong they’re going to be.

“I’m also expecting Newquay and Wadebridge to be up there as well, there’s a lot to look forward to.”

As for Saturday, Potter wants his side to focus on themselves.

He said: “I watched Bodmin a few weeks back and they are quite a physical team.

“But their pitch is quite wide so we’ll look to get the ball out wide and use the width as opposed to trying to get involved in a midfield battle.

“At this stage everybody is available bar Luke Potter who is still out with an ankle injury.”