Pinchbeck United kick-off their new Thurlow Nunn League campaign

Manager Lewis Thorogood feels his Pinchbeck United side will be heading into their new league campaign with a positive and confident mind-set.

The Knights are playing in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One North this term following their relegation from step five of the non-league pyramid last season.

It brings a new and largely unknown challenge for the Knights who are relishing the season ahead.

Thorogood said: "Nobody likes getting relegated or wants it on your CV but this genuinely has given us a great opportunity to re-set, restructure and reorganise.

"We feel that we can challenge and have that mind-set of looking up which is a refreshing change. It is exciting.

"We're not taking anything for granted because I respect that there will be some difficult trips and difficult teams to play, but we do have goals and aspirations in terms of what we want to achieve this year.

"It's all fresh and new and we've got a young side with plenty of energy who I hope will play some entertaining football.

"We're genuinely excited about it and we're going into Saturday with a positive and confident mind-set."

The Knights faced a series of higher level tests during pre-season which Thorogood feels has been the perfect preparation for the coming campaign.

He added: "It's been a good pre-season and probably the best preparation since we've been at the club.

"The idea was to play step five teams across pre-season because it gives us that physical test that we needed.

"We want to be that team this season that is physically dominating and not be the one which is physically dominated.

"Our way and style of play which we want to adopt this year, which is a complete change to what we've done previously, has adapted itself very well to step five football.

"Keeping the consistency and continuity of a squad of players from last season has also helped us.

"They've had the experience of step five football which I think will stand us in really good stead for the start of the season."

The Knights have retained the nucleus of last season's squad while also adding new and familiar faces to their ranks.

Goalkeeper Ben Martin has rejoined the club along with utility player Pat Kacirek and forward Jamal Nyang.

Midfielder Ben Howlett has switched from Soham Town while striker Brenden Parker has joined after a strong campaign with Cottesmore in the Leicestershire Senior League last season.

Full-back Callum Kiss has arrived from Wyberton along with Arron Pike - who had a brief spell with league rivals Holbeach last season - and former Yaxley goalkeeper Dawid Kowalski.

Pinchbeck open their campaign on Saturday with a home match against Wivenhoe who finished mid-table last season.

They will again be playing their home matches at the Sir Halley Stewart ground and are hoping for a strong show of support on Saturday.

Thorogood commented: "We want people to come out on Saturday and see what we're about - even if it's just for the curiosity aspect.

"We want to start the right way with three points on Saturday and we're looking forward to being back at the Sir Halley.

"Spalding have done some fantastic bits to the ground and we are piggy-backing on the benefits of that which we thank and respect them for.

"It will give us the opportunity to play some good football in a good environment."

After Saturday's home opener, Pinchbeck face back-to-back away games at Stanway Pegasus on August 3 and AFC Sudbury Reserves on August 10.