DEARNE and District are looking to bounce back from their NCEL Division One play-off final loss to near neighbours Wombwell Town in April and compete for promotion again.
The Goldthorpe club finished fourth in their first season at NCEL level, winning the last six league games and their play-off semi-final at Wakefield.
But they were beaten 3-2 at Wombwell Town for a place in the Premier Division.
Manager Zeph Thomas said: “We will take the positives from it. The first thing I did after the final was look at myself. It was good learning for me and next time I will do things differently. On the day, the best team won. They were good value for it.
“I’m so proud of what the lads achieved in the club’s first season at that level.”
Dearne are now hoping to push again for the NCEL Premier.
Thomas said: “We’re looking to improve and hopefully go one step further.
“I think the league will be more competitive than last season. It’s a big ask against a lot of good teams. But we want to be in and around it.
“We’ve kept the core of the team and added some players – Owen Fieldsend and Cian Guest from Wombwell and Adam Baskerville from Thorne. Just a few tweaks to improve the squad.”
Dearne start at home to Selby Town on Saturday, then host them again in the League Cup on Tuesday. Thomas said: “It’s a tough opening game. They have had good results in pre-season.
“They will be a good fit young team who will want to win. We have to match their fitness and energy.”
