BEMERTON Heath Harlequins have lost last season’s 34-goal top scorer Scott Joyce who is heading for Sydenhams Premier rivals Blackfield & Langley.

But with inspirational skipper Jack Slade due back from injury and Russell Cook and Jack Lovell now on board at Western Way, manager Graham Kemp is confident they won’t be short of firepower.

Kemp, who has also signed goalkeeper Joe Prodomo from Fawley and ex-Christchurch, Winchester and Hamworthy midfielder/defender Karl Yelland, said: “Losing Scotty’s a bit of a blow, but Blackfield have got more financial clout than we have.

“I’d pre-empted this happening and brought in Russell Cook from Hamworthy who is much the same vein as Scotty. Russell’s my sort of player, he’s followed me around and I know what I’m going to get from him.”

Kemp has also been reunited with highly-rated young forward Jack Lovell from his old charges Christchurch, who are facing life in Division One.

“There were one or two at Christchurch who didn’t want to drop down and Jack’s one of them,” said Kemp.

“Good teams always defend from the front and Jack puts a real shift in.

“Russell’s a natural goalscorer, so they should complement each other, and I’m looking forward to having Jack Slade available. He was injured when I came to the club, but I’m led to believe they’re a different side when he’s in it. He’s a character who leads by example.

“Salisbury approached Jack about joining them, but that was a bit naive. Jack’s dad, Steve, is chairman here and he’s Bemerton through and through.”

*With Terry Pyke having left for Gosport Borough, Bemerton need two separate managers to take care of their Wiltshire Floodlit Youth League and Wyvern Combination League teams.

“Terry going has left us with a massive hole to fill because he ran both sides,” said chairman Steve Slade.

Slade can be contacted on 07798 732799 or evenings only on 01722 331925.