GORNAL Athletic boss Andy Wyton wants his side to be challenging at the top of the table this season after welcoming a host of new additions to the club.

Wyton has raided Cradley Town to sign captain and goalscoring midfielder Scott Devlin, centre back Matt Vaughan, the versatile Carlos Martin and goalkeeper Rich Kennedy.

He has also boosted the Peacocks' attacking options with the signing of Rion Francis-Mills from Causeway United.

Despite Steve Jones returning to Dudley Town, the majority of last season's squad have also committed for the coming season as Gornal look to bounce straight back out of the West Midlands Premier League following relegation from the Midland Alliance.

The Peacocks were relegated after having 14 points taken from their total after players they brought in from Dudley Town during the second half of the campaign were deemed ineligible.

Gornal initially appealed against the points deduction but have since decided to withdraw from the process and accept their relegation fate.

However, Wyton is now fully focused on building a squad capable of challenging at the right end of the table this season.

He said: "I'm really pleased with new additions. They will all improve us and add something to the team. It's great to get them onboard.

"I don't know if we can win the league but I would like to think we can be up there challenging. That will be expected of us and we need to embrace that.

"Pre-season has gone well so far and I'm confident we have the players to make a big impact."

Wyton also said Gornal fans will be able to look forward to a different style of football compared to what was seen at Garden Walk last season.

"We now want to get the ball down and play attacking football," he added. "That is something we will be looking to do and I have the players to make that happen, including all of the new signings."

He has also bolstered his backroom team for the 2014/15 season by taking on former Halesowen Town man Josh Skidmore as a coach.

Gornal will start their season with back-to-back away games. They will kick-off the campaign with a trip to Willenhall on Saturday, August 9 before travelling to take on Ellesmere Rangers three days later.