Kingstonian boss Tommy Williams he has the strike force to trouble the best defences in the Ryman Premier League after adding Shelton Gooden to his ranks.

The 21-year-old former Bristol City trainee bagged a brace in Saturday's 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat at Corinthian Casuals, which also featured a first appearance for Hampton & Richmond Borough loan striker Greg Akpele.

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At the double: Shelton Gooden, left, celebrates the second of his two goals against Corinthian Casuals on Saturday

Forward Sean Bonnett-Johnson also signed terms at Kingsmeadow this week.

Gooden and Akpele will battle with Ryan Moss, Pelayo Pico Gomez and Tom Derry for a place in the Ks frontline as they prepare to launch their Ryman Premier Division campaign in style at Harlow Town this weekend.

"Shelton has good physical strength and really showed what he can do on Saturday," he said.

"He has real aerial presence and a great attitude and we are looking forward to improving him.

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Pleased with progess: Ks boss Tommy Williams

"Greg has been training with us on and has signed on a dual registration basis. He gives us options in wide areas as well as in a more central position."

Williams added: "The guys that have come in only give me more options at the start of the season.

"The early part of the season is packed with a lot of games going Saturday-Monday-Saturday-Tuesday, so we are going to need everybody.

"We have recruited with that in mind and I feel we have players that can hurt any team in this division.

"We have a blend of experienced players and youngsters who have the energy to keep grinding out results.

"Everybody is raring to go and we are looking forward to getting down to the real action now.

"We are under no illusions that this is going to be a tough league with the teams coming up and others dropping down.

"We are going to have to be on our A game for 46 league matches, because we cannot afford any days off."

Ks rounded off their pre-season campaign with defeat at Ryman Division South Casuals, but Williams was not too concerned.

"We had six first team players missing - including Pelayo [Pico Gomez], George Wells, Ryan Moss, Alan Inns and Tom Derry - and we also made five changes at half time," he added.

"Pre-season is a little bit false. You haven't got the same tempo or the pressure of points to be won either.

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Injured: Bruce Hogg is ruled out of Saturday's season opener at Harlow Town with an adductor muscle injury

"It showed we have got that bit extra strength in depth that maybe we were missing last year.

"Pre-season has been a bit patchy because that same players have not always been available at the same time because of things like weddings and injuries.

"But I think we are ready."

Bruce Hogg and Tom Derry are set to miss Saturday's opening dayy, while Charlie Knight confirmed his commitment to the coming campaign this week.