AFC Totton boss Stuart Ritchie has raided his old club Newport IoW for two summer signings.

Fresh from winning the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup and finishing fourth in Division 1, the Stags have strengthened their hand by capturing Port's leading scorer Dave Greening and promising midfielder Tom Scovell.

Greening - son of Newport coach and Island goalscoring legend, Steve - could well have changed his mind about leaving the Islanders when they were spared relegation from Ryman 1 following Banstead Athletic's resignation.

But Ritchie's assistant Sean New was pleased to report: "Dave spoke to Newport earlier this week and told them he was coming to us and I think they were pleased with his honesty.

"Dave scored 24 goals last season and 26 the season before but, for a young lad, he had too much pressure on his shoulders knowing that if he scored they had a chance, but if not they'd probably lose or draw.

"I think that with a drop in league and the character we've got in the Totton camp, he will flourish as a striker.

"He's got rapid pace and he's ruthless in front of goal and, with Winchester City and Gosport sniffing round, we struck while the iron was hot.

"In Dave, Floyd Hamodu, Mark Osman and Mark Piper we've got four quality strikers that we can mix and match.

"We can't go through another season relying on the likes of Floyd to play 60-odd games."

Greening joined Port in October 2004 from Island side Brading Town, having previously had a spell with Eastleigh.

He was voted supporters' player-of-the-year at St George's Park in 2004/5.

Tough-tackling midfielder Scovell is another to have made his mark at Newport the season before last after being plucked from local football.

Former Port boss John Linington chose him as his player-of-the-season and he was voted man-of-the-match in the 2005 Isle of Wight Gold Cup final against Brading.

"Tom's left-footed, which we like, tenacious and keen to play for a team that is looking to go places," said New.

"He played in a training game against the under-16s the other night and looks very accomplished.

"He likes to get the ball on the ground and play."