LIVERSEDGE have battled through two rounds of the FA Cup and are unbeaten in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League after starting the season with a new squad.

The Premier Division club's boss Jonathan Rimmington had wanted to retain all of last season's players but instead had a busy summer of recruitment.

He said: "We're doing all right, with a new team again. Don't you just love football? It just keeps on surprising you."

Rimmington lost several key men and a lot of other squad players but he insists it has not weakened the team. In fact, he feels they now have a more competitive unit and will mount a stronger challenge.

"We've kept maybe five of last season's team, that's all," said the Sedge manager.

"We've lost Harrison Blakey, Vaughan Redford, Rhys Davies and Cody Cromack – they've all gone for money. They are all very good players, all young players, and they take some replacing.

"We thought that we'd lost Joe Walton as well because he signed for Ossett Albion but he's come back to us. He's missed all of pre-season though, so he's a bit behind the others fitness-wise, but he'll be involved more as his fitness builds.

"I knew it was going to happen though, so I stared planning for it and scouting players more or less before the last game of last season.

"The players have done well and they've had some good offers, so fair play to them – but I want a side that's not in it purely for the money.

"We've made some good signings and got some very promising lads in. I've also been offered players from clubs above and I've got some coming in.

"We're taking a big defender from Frickley on loan. He'll be with us for three or four weeks and then Frickley will have a look at it and we might keep him for a bit longer.

"I've been offered a few forwards but I don't need them. I need centre backs really and defensive midfielders.

"We've got our captain Tom Jackson in there, and he's brilliant, but the lads playing alongside him are midfielders and you need specialists in certain positions."