Garry Kimble is hoping that the goal-scoring instincts of Stuart Zanone can lift his Witham Town team further clear of the Ryman League division north relegation scrap.

The 30-year-old ex-soldier made his Witham debut as a second-half substitute in their 2-1 Ryman League division north win at Thurrock last weekend and could be set for a first home appearance when they host Aveley at the Village Glass Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Kimble is delighted to have the former Thamesmead striker on board and expects him to provide a presence up front.

Zanone memorably rewrote the Southern Counties East Football League record books last year with a stunning 47 goals for Ashford United, but work commitments have led to a number of moves this year.

He has spent time at Ashford, Hythe Town and most-recently Cheshunt, but Kimble feels the Harlow-based player can be settled at Witham and help lift them up the table.

“Hopefully we have found a striker now who can help get us out of trouble,” said the Witham boss. “A lot of people have been saying that we’ve done well to get Stuart on board – everyone wanted him so we were delighted that he agreed to come to us.

“I had tried to get him two or three times earlier in the season, but he wanted to stay around Cheshunt, but he now lives in Harlow and we were pleased to have him playing on Saturday.

“There had been numerous Ryman premier sides looking to sign him, but he is keen to give it a go with us. I was hoping to start him on Saturday at Thurrock, but he had been a bit ill on Friday so he came on from the bench after half-time.

“He showed then what a good player he is and he is the type of player we really needed.

“It could be the missing part of the jigsaw.

“We haven’t had a striker who you know will be looking to get you 20-plus goals a season for a while.

“We’ve had Billy Hunt, Kris Newby and Rob Whitnell over the last few seasons and Stuart fits that bill as he has seen it and done it all before and got the t-shirt to prove it.”

However, Stuart isn’t the only Zanone to have joined Witham and Kimble hopes the striker’s brother, Sam, will have as big an impact at the other end of the field.

“Stuart recommended his brother when I said I needed a centre-half,” said Kimble.

“Sam is a central defender who is a no-nonsense player and doesn’t take liberties.

“He is a left-sided centre-half as well, which is a bonus and he did well in his first game for us.”

Kimble has also re-signed Danny Emmanuel, who has come back after a spell at division north rivals Maldon and Tiptree, and the manager is hoping that he may be available to face Aveley after personal commitments kept him out at Thurrock.

“I spoke to Danny last Friday and he wasn’t able to make it for us at Thurrock, but he has signed and hopefully he may be in for Saturday,” said Kimble. “He has signed and the paperwork has all gone through.

“It would be a big help as he is as good a player as I’ve seen at the club in my time with Witham.”