Blackstones sign Nathan Rudman and Tom Edwards

Blackstones have added a double attacking boost ahead of their return to United Counties League action on Saturday.

Stones have swooped to secure the services of former Peterborough United youngster Nathan Rudman while raiding rivals Bourne Town to bring Tom Edwards back to the club.

Rudman has been playing for Oundle Town in the Peterborough League recently and has netted more than 30 goals for the Premier Division club in the last couple of seasons.

Edwards was last with Stones during the 2020/21 campaign after joining from Stamford Lions before moving to the Wakes.

He made more than 30 appearances last term to help Bourne reach the play-offs and joins a Blackstones side who remain just two points outside the top five.

They were without a game last weekend but return to Division One action on Saturday when they host Saffron Dynamo at Lincoln Road.

Table-topping Bourne travel to Lutterworth Athletic on Saturday looking to maintain their seven-point advantage.

They bounced back last Saturday from their first league defeat of the campaign the previous weekend with a 2-1 home success over Radford.

First half goals from Josh Edmondson and Zak Munton gave the Wakes control of the contest but, despite creating some good chances, they were unable to shrug off their visitors.

Radford then set up a nervy finale by halving the deficit but Bourne held out for their 15th league win from 18 games so far this season.

Manager Michael Goode said: "Everything that we did in the first half on Saturday was with real purpose but, once we get those couple of goals, we just need to settle a little bit.

"Their keeper has made five or six saves and we also could have done a little bit better on one or two so we need to be killing those sort of games off.

"Their goal created seven or eight minutes of pressure that we never needed so, although it was a great response to the first defeat, we have to be more ruthless otherwise, when it really counts, we will get found out.

"It was similar to the scenario against St Andrews where we were 2-0 up and got pegged back to 2-2 before getting the winner at the end so we need to stop making it harder for ourselves."

The Wakes will be boosted by the return of player assistant boss Dan Flack for Saturday's trip to Lutterworth after he missed the weekend win due to suspension.

However, Shaun Archer collected his fifth caution of the season in the win over Radford and will be absent on Saturday as he serves a one-match ban.

The Wakes have boosted their midfield ranks though by bringing Henry Dunn back to the JJ Mac Stadium.

Dunn started his career with Bourne before joining Goode during his tenure as manager of Deeping Rangers.

He has been with Premier Division North side Melton Town for the past couple of seasons and his arrival is a crucial acquisition for the Wakes.

Goode said: "I've known Henry for a long time and there was the opportunity to bring him in because he was one of the best midfielders in step five football not so long ago.

"It hasn't quite worked for him at Melton this year but he knows this club and will be a great signing for us."

Stamford go in search of a third successive away win on Saturday as they travel to Leiston in the Southern League Premier Division Central looking to back up victories on their travels at Hitchin and Long Eaton.

Deeping Rangers return to United Counties League Premier Division North action after a free weekend last Saturday with a trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Skegness Town.

The Lilywhites are currently in fourth spot, four points clear of Deeping, ahead of their second league meeting of the season after a goalless draw at the Haydon Whitham Stadium in September.