TAUNTON Town manager Gary Domone said his new-look squad will give it their best shot as they prepare for the start of the season kick-off on Saturday.

The Peacocks travel to play Slough Town in their BGB Southern League Division One (S&W) opener on Saturday and Domone is under no illusions of how tough it will be.

In their last competitive game at the beginning of May, Taunton went down 2-0 in the play-off final to Swindon Supermarine who won promotion to the Premier Division.

Missing out on promotion has proved costly for the club with over half that side leaving for pastures new.

Unable to compete with other clubs financially, Domone has effectively had to build a team from scratch - something he is getting used to.

Town's boss is pleased with the strikers he has brought to the club, but believes they are short on defenders having lost last season's centre backs Jak Martin to Tiverton and, just last week, Mike Taylor to Weston-super-Mare.

Prolific Western League striker James Clarke has joined from Portishead, while Australian front man Darren Stone and Tom Collett, from Hallen, have also signed.

Bristol-based forward Dominic Holver and Twayne Plummer are also in the squad.

Domone said: "We'll give it our best shot.

"I'm happy with the strikers we've brought in and I think they will cause teams problems.

"But we're light at the back after losing so many players and it's very difficult to find replacements so close to the season.

"It's asking a lot for such a young side to compete at this level but we're going to give it a real go."

Domone has also recruited former Taunton and Torrington midfielder Chris Slough from Torrington, while Taunton Blackbrook defenders Martin White and Dan Pepperell will also travel to Slough.

Slough, relegated from the Premier Division of the Isthmian League last season are expected to be a strong, physical side.

Taunton will be without Charlie Welch who is at a wedding.

Taunton: Ian Jones, Scott Thomas, Adam Faux, Dan Cockram, Chris Slough, Ronnie Mowatt, Gary Fisher, Alex Faux, Danny Copeland, Tom Collett, Darren Stone, James Clarke, Twayne Plummer, Dominic Holver, Martin White, Dan Pepperell.

l TAUNTON play their first home game of the season next Wednesday when they entertain Paulton Rovers in a game sponsored by Taunton Plumbing and Heating.

TAUNTON registered their first pre-season win on Monday when they defeated a young Bristol Rovers XI 3-2. James Clarke, Scott Thomas and Alex Pounde were on target for the Peacocks.