FC CLACTON manager Tom Austin has made three new additions to his squad – and believes there will be healthy competition for places during the final weeks of the season.

The Seasiders have recruited former Essex under-18s goalkeeper Peter Haxell and ex-loanee Kieron Baker, in addition to welcoming back Steve Hope.

Keeper Aaron Smyth has left the club but with the deadline having now passed for signing new players, Austin believes he has strength in depth for the remaining seven Thurlow Nunn League fixtures.

“It’s great to be in a position where we’ve got competition for places, squad depth and a bit of cover, because some people aren’t available every week,” he told the Gazette.

“This is our squad for the rest of the season, as the deadline for making new signings was March 31.

“I’m happy and was pleased to make a few additions at the end of last week.

“Peter is an experienced goalkeeper, having played more than 100 games for the likes of Wivenhoe, Chelmsford, Braintree, Heybridge and Witham.

“He’ll provide real competition, although at this stage my first-choice is Joe (Fowler).

“I’ve been really impressed since I took over and can’t fault him, because he’s made important saves and kept us in games.

“Joe’s come on a lot but it’s great to have two very good goalkeepers at my disposal – ironically just a few weeks after being gutted to lose Luke Avenell (to Coggeshall Town).

“Kieron’s another great signing and a big, strong player who can either play in midfield or up front, as a target man.

“He’ll offer us something a bit different.

“And Steve is also a good addition and someone who will give us defensive cover, because he’s comfortable playing at centre-half or left-back.”

Baker will be dual registered with Essex and Suffolk Border League side Great Bentley.

Meanwhile, Clacton’s weekend proved a complete wash-out, with heavy rain forcing the postponement of Saturday’s home match against Histon and Monday’s derby at Wivenhoe Town.

Haxell would have played in both games, as Fowler was unavailable for the Easter weekend.

Next up is Saturday’s home date with Kirkley and Pakefield, followed by another match at the Rush Green Bowl next Tuesday, against Stanway Rovers.

“It was a really disappointing weekend because we were hoping to build on our positive performance against Coggeshall last Tuesday,” added Austin.

“The weather has been a real problem since I took over.

“It’s been stop-start and we haven’t been able to get into any kind of rhythm.

“It’s frustrating and unfortunate that we’ve got a lot of games to squeeze into the final month of the season.

“We’ve still got seven league matches left, in addition to the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup final against Brightlingsea.

“It’s a bit of a fixture backlog but hopefully we can get back in action with these home games against Kirkley and Stanway.”