Mildenhall Town sign former King’s Lynn Town, Wroxham and Heacham striker Charlie Royle to boost goalscoring ranks

Mildenhall Town manager Phil Weavers is hoping that new addition Charlie Royle will help to bolster his side’s goalscoring return.

Promoted as Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division champions, Mildenhall have been one of the top-performing defensive units in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division this season.

They have shipped 19 goals, giving them the fourth best record in the division.

However, they have struggled to be as effective at the other end of the pitch, where their return of 16 goals is only better than bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Wanderers’ tally (15).

Recent arrival Royle, who made his debut during Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Basildon United, has already shown Mildenhall that he possesses a clinical touch. He scored against his new club for Heacham last term and also netted against them when Wroxham won 2-1 at Mildenhall earlier this campaign.

“Signing Charlie came a bit out of the blue,” said Weavers. “He was looking for a fresh challenge and we were a good opportunity for him.

“We’re certainly familiar with him after he scored against us for Wroxham and Heacham – he’s a good finisher.

“We’ve been looking to add in that area for a little while and Charlie will give us something a bit different.

“He played well at the weekend, he fitted in really well and it was like he had been with the group all season.”

The weekend’s win over Basildon, with goals coming from Ryan Swift and Ben Nolan, extended Mildenhall’s run of form in the North Division to one defeat in their last five matches.

And it also lengthened the gap to the relegation zone to four points ahead of Saturday’s trip to promotion-hunting Felixstowe & Walton United (3pm).

Weavers added: “Our performances have been better value than where we sit in the table. We’ve definitely left some points out there based on our performances.

“It’s been a little frustrating at times, but overall we’re happy with the start we’ve made in a much stronger league.

“Everything fell for us last season, we did really well. But now we’ve gone from being everyone’s cup final to the underdogs most weeks. We’re adapting well to the step up in quality though, and now we’ve got to keep building.”

Mildenhall will be without Luke Butcher, Jarid Robson and Adam Capel for the trip to Felixstowe, while a late check will be made on the fitness of Max Kirkby.