CALNE Town have strengthened their side before the new season with three signings this week.

Top young prospects Matt Minis and Stuart Pearson have joined from Bath City while goalkeeper Chris Astley has signed from Chippenham Town.

All three players are on loan deals and could be called back by their employers at any time.

Calne Town boss Rob Lardner said he was pleased to add a few more players to his squad after losing Matt Pratley to Swindon Supermarine last week.

Lardner said: "Matt and Stuart are still committed towards Bath but the manager has made it clear he wants them to have experience, and where better to do it?

"We did not know much about them but we knew Bath manager John Relish thinks a lot of them and they have done very well in their short time here.

"I watched Chris on Friday night and he's a good young keeper. He has a good attitude, does things simply and does it well.

"Again if Chippenham need him he will be going back. We just hope Steve Perrin does not get injured."

Lardner said he would still like a bit more experience in his side but added the younger players had done him proud so far.

"We encourage the younger lads and from what I saw on Saturday these three will be a valuable addition. We have lost Matty and I was looking at adding a couple more to the squad and still am.

"When you look at the side it is young and we may need a little bit more experience. On the other hand I never turn down young players because they develop into very good players.

"Look at Kevin and Gary Banks and Steve Casey. They have all developed into very good young players and to be honest they have quite a few games under their belts too."

Versatile defender Pearson, who can play across all of the back line, said he was looking forward to getting more experience.

"I am still going to be training with Bath and my ambition is to get some first team football there by the end of the season," he said.

"I am going to get my head down here, get some experience and hopefully impress both managers. Having Matt here as well has helped me settle in quickly and a lot faster than I thought would happen.

"It's difficult coming to a new club but having someone you know here does help."

Astley said he was disappointed to be loaned out for the second season in a row but that he would now concentrate on doing well for Calne.

"I spoke to Darren Perrin, Chippenham manager, and a few clubs had come in for me. Thankfully he sorted me out straight away and did not just keep me there to warm the bench.

"I obviously want to play for Chippenham and at as high a level as possible but I suppose I will bide my time and get some experience here."

Astley said he did not expect to just walk into the Calne first team.

"I am going to take this opportunity and do well for the team.

"I don't know if we will be in a relegation scrap or challenging for the title but the title is what we have to aim for."

Perrin said Calne was the ideal club for Astley: "I spoke to Chris to reassure him he had a future at Chippenham and he will still train with us."

Calne won twice this week with hard-fought victories over Pewsey Vale on Saturday and Shrivenham on Tuesday.

Calne dominated both games and scored three in each.

Against Vale the Bremhill View boys went a goal up through an own goal before Vale equalised for 1-1 at half time.

In the second half Vale scored against the run of play with ten minutes to go but James Lye and Minis led Calne to a 3-2 victory.

Against Shrivenham the home side again dominated the game and scored three second-half goals through Kevin Banks (2) and Ryan Pratley for a 3-0 win.