FC CLACTON hot-shot Adam Hampson wants to hit the ground running when the Seasiders launch their Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

The club will be hoping to continue their impressive friendly form when they play their first premier division fixture at Hadleigh United tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

After losing at Bostik League side Aveley in early July, Tom Austin’s men have stayed unbeaten in five matches – winning four of them and making progress in the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup, courtesy of Saturday’s 8-0 romp at Wormingford Wanderers.

New signing Hampson scored twice in that match and hopes both he and his team can continue their free-scoring ways and build on recent successes against Colne Athletic, Little Oakley and Brightlingsea Regent.

“Pre-season feels like it’s flown by. It’s gone so quickly,” he told the Gazette.

“We’re certainly raring to get going, though, and we’ve been very happy with our form in the friendlies.

“It’s all about carrying it into the season now.

“The lads are buzzing and results like we’ve had in our last couple of games, in particular, breed so much confidence.

“Obviously you don’t get three points for winning a friendly but it’s never a bad thing to be winning games and getting into good habits.

“Hopefully we can kick on now because we’ve set a bit of a benchmark.

“On a personal note, I’ve been pleased to score a few goals and hopefully that will continue when it really counts.

“It’s certainly been good for my confidence and it’s good to get in the habit of putting the ball in the back of the net.”

After tomorrow’s match, Clacton cross the Suffolk border again on Tuesday when they make the trip to Whitton United.

They then make the longer journey to Kirkley and Pakefield on August 11, for an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie, before their first match at the Rush Green Bowl against much-fancied Stowmarket Town on August 18.

Former Stanway Rovers and Wivenhoe Town man Hampson believes his new side can have a successful season, finishing in the top ten and, ideally, having a run in the FA Cup and/or FA Vase.

“I’m looking forward to it and it’s about building and improving all the time,” he said.

“From my point of view, I’m looking at a top-ten finish and a really good cup run.

“A couple of years ago I was part of the Stanway side that did well in the Vase.

“It’s a competition where you can go far, with a few good draws, and I’d love to experience something similar at Clacton.

“There’s no reason why we can’t achieve that and do better in the league than the club have managed in the last couple of seasons.”