Lewes are loving the challenge of being a small fish in a big pond.

The Rookettes will battle it out with the likes of Albion, Cardiff City, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Tottenham and West Ham in the FA Women’s Premier League southern division again this season.

Only Forest Green and C&K Basildon start on a level playing field with Lewes by not having the advantage of an attachment with a men’s Football League club.

But rather than bemoaning the handicap, manager John Donoghue says the fact the Rookettes are punching above their weight is something to be proud of.

And he is confident they can build on their seventh place finish last season by finishing above a number of the so-called bigger sides.

Donoghue said: “The league is tougher this season with Coventry coming into it but that doesn’t alter our focus of improving on what we did last year.

“Our main goal is to be more competitive against the top teams. We had some close games with bigger sides last year but if we can turn that into points then we will do well.

“Some of the teams in the division invest quite heavily so it is always a challenge to compete with them but it is a good challenge. They have better facilities and support staff and can recruit better players so it does make it hard.

“But this is our fourth season in the division and to be able to be in around mid-table every season is a great achievement. To be one of the two top teams in Sussex is success in itself. That doesn’t mean we are going to rest on our laurels though. We want to keep on pushing forward and getting better.”

Donoghue believes he has a stronger squad in terms of depth this season after a busy summer which saw eight players arrive at the Dripping Pan.

Claire Capon, Paige Walder and Charlie Carter have joined from Albion while former Chelsea midfielder Nicole Matthews, goalkeeper Lauren Dolbear, striker Danielle Lane, Lucianne Johnson and Ellie Lock have also come in.

Lewes kick off the season at home to Plymouth on Sunday (2pm).