Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City

GRAVESEND manager Liam Daish continued changing the face of his squad with the addition of Margate's Canadian central defender Ross Smith.

He becomes the club's ninth summer signing and is certain to make his debut in Saturday's Nationwide Conference curtain-raiser at home to Exeter.

After a spell in Scotland with Montrose, Smith signed for Margate last season when he joined up with old friend Peter Benevides. The two had been together at the University of Rhode Island.

He made 36 appearances for the seasiders, scoring three goals, and was rated the find of the season.

"I'm delighted to have signed him because he has greatly impressed me during pre-season training," said Daish.

Smith joins Bobby Bowry, goalkeepers Craig Holloway and Aaron Kerr, Charlie MacDonald, James Smith, Danny Glozier, Danny Slatter and Scott Gooding among the Fleet's new recruits.

Others could follow with Daish in pursuit of two strikers capable of sharpening his attack.

He said: "I'm hoping to sign a striker on loan from a Premier League club in time to face Exeter. I'm also working on another deal for a forward."

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