Cuckoos class is already obvious and it’s only the middle of July

Football - Yaxley start their friendly campaign in fine form

Yaxley have already issued notice of their quality ahead of the start of the United Counties Premier Division season. Friendlies against higher-level opponents Peterborough Sports and Soham United have been won at In2itive Park to give manager Brett Whaley even more confidence his side can sustain another challenge for honours.

The Cuckoos finished third flight behind Sports and Deeping Rangers last season, but won the UCL Cup.

“The squad is stronger this season and we now have depth to cover the 50+ games we’ll have,” Whaley said. “After last season’s cup win we would like silverware again, as well as another top three finish. I’m confident we can achieve that with the group we have.”

Yaxley have held on to their entire squad from last season and added Ollie Medwynter from Peterborough Sports and Tom Waumsley from Deeping.

Waumsley, Dan Cotton and James Hill-Seekings scored against Sports last weekend before a Wayne Morris goal defeated Soham on Tuesday.

Yaxley have another toughhome test on Saturday when Cambridge City are the visitors.

Stamford AFC bowed out of the Lincs Senior Cup 3-2 to League Two side Grimsby who grabbed a last-minute winner. Results:

Lincs Senior Cup: Stamford AFC 2 (Duffy, Sandy), Grimsby 3.

Friendies: Langtoft United 0, Bourne Town 8; Neherton United 4 (Brown 2, Graham, Odain), Blackstones 5; Histon 0, Wisbech 1 (Hamilton); Yaxley 3 (Cotton, Hill-Seekings, Waumsley), Peterborough Sports 0; Bourne Town 2, Spalding United Under 21s 2 (Hart 2); Yaxley 1 (Morris), Soham Town 0; Holbeach United 1 (Leckie), Peterborough Sports 1 (Webb).

Fixtures:

Thursday, July 13: Friendly - Stamford Lions v Peterborough Northern Star.

Friday, July 14: Lincs Cup - Grantham v Spalding United.

Saturday, July 15: Friendlies - King’s Lynn v Stamford AFC, Netherton United v Deeping Rangers, Pinchbeck United v Peterborough Northern Star, Wisbech Town v Ely, Wittering Harriers v Bourne, Yaxley v Cambridge City.

Tuesday July 18: Friendlies - Blackstones v SpaldingUnitedU21s,BourneTownvDeepingRangers, Histon v Yaxley, Peterborough Northern Star v Swaffham Town, Stamford AFC v Boston. Action from Yaxley’s 3-0 friendly win over Peterborough Sports (red). Netherton boss Jon Harrison.