LITTLE Oakley have arranged four pre-season friendlies, as they step up their preparations for the new Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

The Acorns will be playing step six football for the first time in their history after winning last term's Essex and Suffolk Border League title.

The four scheduled games are at home to Ryman League division north champions Brightlingsea Regent on July 8, away to Stowmarket Town on July 18, away to neighbours Brantham Athletic on July 22 and at home to Needham Market on July 29.

"It's a great line-up of friendlies that will really test us," said Oakley boss Sean Tynan, who hopes to fix up another friendly on July 15.