The Essex side romped away with the Ridgeons Division One title last season and will be extra keen to make their mark after promotion.

Fenmen boss Steve Taylor is well aware of Tiptree's strengths. Their top scorer Tom English was with Taylor at Haverhill as well as goalkeeper Aaron Benstead.

He commented: "They look to have a good squad of players with several of them having had Ryman League experience with Maldon Town."

Their manager Colin Wallington joined the club from Maldon last season bringing several players with him after guiding them to the Ryman Premier League during his spell there.

But Taylor will be fielding a much changed side from the one that finished last season with a flourish.

With Steve Appleby, Darren Edey and Paul Cousins departing and Mark Jimson out injured he has been busy bring in six new recruits.

New signings Jamie Thurlbourne, who has already looked a decent addition in the preseason games, Nick Impey, Gary Setchell, Anthony Reeve and Stuart King have all settled in well and are likely to be in the starting line-up on Saturday.

One of the issues facing Taylor is whether to include skipper Lee Day at full back or go for Lewis Cook who played most of last season in that position.

After trying different formations in training he is likely to adapt a 4-5-1 set up on Saturday with Impey the lone striker and Stuart Cobb and Billy Smith operating on the flanks to give the striker quick support in attack.

Stuart Ablett will join Stuart King and James McManus in the centre of midfield and Taylor is looking to him having a good season.

"He makes some good runs and is a very difficult person to mark. He seems to enjoy playing in this new role and I think he will do very well for us," said the Fenmen manager.

Taylor's real concern from the friendlies is the number of goals conceded with 10 leaked in the last three.

He said: "We have been making some bad mistakes in defence. Chris Horton has made one in each of the last three games so hopefully he has used them all before we start our league programme. I will be looking for a lot tighter and solid performance at the back against Tiptree.

"We will be looking to get an early goal and hit their confidence. At the moment I would be just happy to win 4-3 than lose 4-3 and we will look to attack teams and try to score more than them."

"The game against Deeping was a typical last friendly game with players cautious of not getting injured before the first league game. I am certain attitudes will change against Tiptree and we will play a lot better."

Wisbech travel to Dereham on Tuesday night when they will come up against Paul Cousins in the home side defence.

Taylor commented: "They did well last season and look a strong side at the back, but losing Robbie Harris to Mildenhall was blow to them and they may find it to hard to score goals."