New-look Louth Town prepare for UCL debut season
New-look Louth Town continue preparations for their debut UCL Division One season with a friendly trip to Immingham this Saturday.
After the FA moved them to their new league from the NCEL Division One, the White Wolves have lost some players but boss Carl Martin has been busy recruiting and the new faces impressed in Saturday's opening 2-2 friendly draw with Lutterworth Town.
Adam Millson is one of two key players gone as, after 75 appearances and 13 goals, he has elected to retire, while Alex Carter, after over 200 appearances, has moved on.
“We have lost a few as quite a few of our players are Grimsby-based so, obviously, the logistics of moving into the UCL from the NCEL made it hard for lads to travel with work and so on,” said Martin.
“So four or five have moved on to other NCEL teams which they have been open and honest about. We knew it would be the case so we have brought three or four bodies in. We have a few other irons in the fire and looked at a few trialists on Saturday too.
“But I was really pleased with the replacement lads we have brought in on Saturday. They look like they can hit the ground running.
“Adam was an experienced central midfield player who had played at Boston United level, but was in the twilight of his career and has decided to retire which was a big blow for us with his leadership.
“Alex has also left and dropped down a couple of divisions through his work and not being able to commit to the travelling needed this season. They will be two big losses.
Against Lutterworth, Louth trailed to a long range effort on 30 minutes.
But Harris Dunn levelled nine minutes later with a good finish on the turn and on 42 minutes Theo Kitt-Bushell put them ahead only to concede an equaliser four minutes from time.
Martin said: “They are a Step 5 side who just missed out on the play-offs so it was a good test for us and we came through with flying colours.
“I was really pleased with the lads and how our new signings played.
“We had good passages of play and our fitness levels were really good which is down to all the hard work we have done over pre-season.
“I was pleased with the application, effort and quality and it was a really good start.”
On the game at Immingham, he added: “They won the Lincolnshire League last season and were promoted to the NCEL and a couple of our lads that have left have gone and joined them as it is more local to them.
“So we are looking forward to it and getting more minutes in the tank for the lads and getting the new lads to gel.”