Harpenden Town manager Danny Plumb has announced three new signings.

Sam James and Phil Smeaton have joined from Codicote, while Sam Jenkins has signed from Milton FC in Hampshire.

Plumb said:” I am pleased to bring experience and quality to the side and it will be good for us to have competition for places.

“I think the new players have seen the progress we have been making and are excited to be part of an ambitious club.

“I am also impressed with the way the players have slotted in to pre-season training and games.”

James, who is 27, can play both in midfield and further forward and was part of the Welwyn Garden City title winning team two years ago.

Unfortunately Smeaton has picked up an injury but the 23-year-old defender will give added strength at the back.

Jenkins, 21, is a centre-half and has just moved to the Harpenden area and as well as appearing for Milton has captained his university team.

Harpenden celebrated the 125th anniversary of its foundation in 1891 with a thrilling cup game on Tuesday night.

They held Tring from the division above to a 2-2 draw but lost a penalty shoot out in the Herts Charity Shield at Rothamsted Park.

Plumb said: “We were very unlucky and their keeper had a good game but then so did ours, Matt Lord.

“I am pleased because we showed we can match a team from the Premier, which is the division above us.

“Bearing in mind our pre-season had not gone well with availability and injury issues I feel we can really have a great season if I can get consistency in our selection.”

Harpenden went down 1-0 in the 10th minute when a Tring one-two put through Chris Vardy to score.

Then in a crazy final 10 minutes Town drew level from Ben Warren, Tring scored from a superb free-kick by Sam Jolliffe and then on 94 minutes Sam Edwards brought Town level again.

Harpenden lost 3-2 on penalties despite keeper Lord saving twice.

On Saturday Harpenden travel to Cockfosters, another Spartan South Midlands Premier side for the FA Cup extra preliminary round, back in the competition for the first time in 11 years.