Helston Athletic Women this week strengthened their squad with the signings of Dani Harper and Samanta Kotlinska as they continue to fight at the top of the South West Regional Women's Football League (SWRWFL).

Harper who plays as a forward, and midfielder Kotlinska have signed for Athletic after their former team Buckland Athletic Ladies withdrew from the FA Women's National League earlier this week.

Both signings are eligible for Helston's top of the table clash with Plymouth Argyle Women's U23 on Sunday, December 12.

Speaking to the Packet Helston Athletic Women's Manager Paul Parfitt explained the decision making behind the additions, he said: "With the SWRWFL the biggest difference is the requirement for strength in depth, and we need quality in every position. We have lost Katy Barker, and our team is built off a three-pronged attack of Katy Barker, Eve Moore and Sasha Sparkes.

"Sasha has been injured at the beginning of the season, Eve has led the line and is the top scorer in the league and Katy is out and has been out for a few weeks and we hope to have her back in the new year.

"Dani Harper offers us someone to fill that role, and in midfield it's the same with Samanta Kotlinska. The midfield has had knocks and sometimes with travel the team are affected by work. What we are finding is that the squad is varied on a weekly basis so having two additional quality players is not to replace anyone but rather to add strength in depth on top of what we have already got."

Parfitt revealed he had tried to sign Harper previously after she had scored a hat trick against Helston for Saltash in last season's FA Cup, the manager also thanked Buckland Athletic and in particular their manager in their cooperation and handling of the transfers.

Helston are currently second in the league in what is their first season at this level, however Parfitt believes his side could be performing even better, he said: "It is frustrating, where we have not won games it has been because of our own doing. We have made it very difficult for ourselves.

"If I was to say to you we had been soundly beaten I would be more content, it is the fact we have been in every game until the 90th minute.

"In some circumstances we have given teams lead and had to fight back like we did admirably against Feniton or we have been cruising in games and have thrown it away. We have drawn games we should have won and we have lost games we should have won.

"I am content about where we are. I said to the girls we play Plymouth on Sunday, we beat them at Kellaway and if we win again we finish this part of the season top of the league.

"I know other teams have games in hand but I'd rather have points on the board rather than games in hand." The Manager added.

Kick off in the first vs second fixture is at 2:30 at Plymouth Argyle's home at the Manadon Sports Centre.