Harrowby United kick off their United Counties League Premier Division North season
Manager Jamie McGhee insists his promotion-winning Harrowby United side will not be just making up the numbers in their first season in more than decade back at step five of the non-league pyramid.
The Arrows kick-off their United Counties League Premier Division North campaign on Saturday after winning promotion through the play-offs last term.
They host Eastwood CFC at the JRL Brickwork Stadium in a match which kicks-off at 6pm as part of the United Counties League groundhop weekend.
Eastwood finished eighth last season and are likely to provide a stern test for McGhee's men.
He said: "I'm realistic in where we are and we can't get ahead of ourselves because of promotion but we will not be there to just make up the numbers.
"We are entering a fantastic and extremely competitive league which will host some great local fixtures.
"It's not in our DNA to just get through a season and my target will be to ensure we achieve one of the best league finishes at step five.
"We will not be thinking about just surviving but aiming to give a good account of ourselves. We want to prove ourselves as a capable and consistent step five team."
The Arrows go into the league opener after being beaten in the final of the South Kesteven Charity Cup by Deeping Rangers on Saturday.
The Clarets were 2-0 winners over their new United Counties League Premier Division North rivals in the final at Grantham Town.
Johnny Alflatt's side had defeated the Gingerbreads last weekend in their semi-final clash and backed that up with victory over the Arrows on Saturday.
They had looked the more threatening side in the opening exchanges with Elliot Foster and Ryan Lennon both testing Harrowby goalkeeper Jake Frestle with shots.
The deadlock was then broken just past the half-hour mark when Dan Dougill headed home the opening goal from a Foster corner.
Dougill came close to doubling the lead in identical fashion just before the break when he headed wide from another Foster setpiece.
Clarets custodian Tyler Key had to be alert to avert any danger from an early Harrowby raid in the second half when Frestle saved well at the other end to deny Lennon.
Rangers introduced Jonny Lockie with 10 minutes remaining and he made an immediate impact to wrap up the win.
New signing Ben Smith crossed from the left and Lockie headed home the match-clinching second goal with five minutes remaining.
