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Blue Square South preview

The Blue Square South campaign officially kicks off this weekend with new boys Team Bath, Chelmsford and AFC Wimbledon all set for away trips.

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Basingstoke v Hampton & Richmond

After suffering the agony of a play-off defeat last season, Hampton & Richmond travel to The Camrose to face Basingstoke in what is sure to be a tough start to the season.

The Beavers have strengthened their squad significantly and will be looking for an impact from the new boys from the get go.

Whilst manager Alan Devonshire is happy with his squad, he admits that it is impossible to predict how the season will transpire given the unpredictable nature of the league, and the opening clash against Basingstoke is no different.

"I think you always start the season with a little bit of apprehension because you don't really know what other clubs have done," Devonshire told Your Local Guardian.

"How long you have been in a division and how you did last year has no relevance. We have had a decent pre-season but that all counts for nothing when the league starts," he added.

The Basingstoke squad is at full strength for Saturday's battle.

Basingstoke produced a mixed bunch of pre-season results, but despite the loss of key man Elliot Godfrey - who has joined AFC Wimbledon - Town should be able to live up to their pre-season tag as one of the teams to watch with a win against the Beavers.

Manager Frank Gray is optimistic ahead of the clash, "It is a tough game first up, but when people say that, my reply is always the same and that is that it should be tough for them too. I'm always confident. Every game my team plays, I will back them to win," he told the Basingstoke Gazette.

"I do not know how Hampton are going to look. They played a few different ways last season but, whatever they throw at us, we'll have to cope with it."

Gray will have a full squad to choose from, with Jon Dolan who missed the last of the pre-season games available and Sean Hankin recovering from a knock picked up in the clash.

Bath City v Welling United

Bath City begins the new season against Welling United in unfortunate circumstances, having already lost three players to long-term injuries.

Summer signing Ali Gibb is out till Christmas with a fractured ankle, whilst Paul Evans and Dave Gilroy require knee operations, although the latter pair may still form part of the squad.

"Yes, we've lost good players, but there are still plenty of good players at the club," an optimistic John Relish told The Bath Chronicle.

"We need to try and come out of adversity fighting if we can because it is imperative to get a good start if we're to challenge this season," he added.

It's all change for Welling too, as manager Andy Ford could hand as many as seven players their first cap for the club.

Frankie Chappell is ruled out of the clash through suspension, and he will be joined on the sidelines by Orlando Smith who is out with a knee injury. Midfielder Lee Blackburn faces a late fitness test on a sore hip.

Bognor Regis Town v Worcester

Worcester City head off into the unknown on Saturday as they turn out in Blue Square South for the first time after their move from the north division.

Manager Richard Dryden is eagerly anticipating the clash with Bognor Regis Town, hoping for a winning start.

"As we have started to hit the pre-season games the lads have got really confident. At the moment we are really happy about the team spirit," Dryden told The Worcester Standard.

Mark Owen is the one City injury worry, as he struggles to recover from a toe injury. Craig Wilding is suspended for the game.

New Bognor manager Mick Jenkins has only winger Gavin McCallum on the injury list as he looks to select a strong side for his first league game at the helm.

The Rocks have undergone a significant period of re-building in the off-season, and will be hoping their efforts reap rewards at Nyewood Lane on Saturday.

Braintree Town v Dorchester

Dorchester Town begin the new season with a trip to The Cressing Road Stadium on Saturday to face last season's play-off losers, Braintree Town.

Shaun Brooks is set to name as many as six debutants in his line-up, as Dorchester look to reverse their fortunes after a poor 2007/08 season, but facing The Irons first up will be no easy task.

"Braintree are a tough outfit and they beat us twice last year. Overall they are a typical Conference South side in that they are efficient and strong at set-pieces so a good performance from us is needed," Brooks told the Dorset Echo.

Long-term casualty Mark Jermyn is still out with a knee injury, but Jermyn aside The Magpies have a full squad available.

Braintree have a number of players under an injury cloud, with Billy Burgess, Mark Jones, and Gareth Williams all doubtful for the clash. Wayne O'Sullivan is a definite non-starter, out with a face injury, as is Andrew Porter who is suspended.

Bromley v Maidenhead United

Hayes Lane has been the sight of much change during the summer, but manager Mark Goldberg will be hoping that it all comes together on Saturday when his chargers play host to Maidenhead.

Only five of last season squad have remained at the club, but Goldberg is confident that is talent youngsters will produce results.

"I am pleased with the way the team is shaping up," Goldberg told The Bromley Times. "Everybody has their own skill set and I think we have the makings of a good squad and what could be a decent season.

Goldberg has the luxury of having a full squad available for selection against the Magpies.

Maidenhead too have a full squad at their disposal, and despite a poor run of pre-season form will be optimistic ahead off the clash.

Fisher Athletic v Team Bath

An ignorant fan may look at a visit from Team Bath as an opportunity to pick up easy points, but the Students are not to be underestimated, as despite what their nickname suggests these are fully-fledged professionals on show.

Fisher Athletic are the first team to host the newcomers, and being a bit unpredictable themselves, this clash is sure to be an interesting one.

Bath have retained the nucleus of their promotion winning squad, who have been joined by some newcomers, all of whom are fit to face Fisher on Saturday.

The Fish lost a number of players to higher leagues, but have brought in Joe Howe, Damien Batt and Chris Saunders as replacements. A full squad is available for the home side.

Hayes & Yeading v Chelmsford

Tipped as title contenders, Chelmsford will be looking to get their season off to a flying start as they travel to Church Road to face Hayes and Yeading United.

Clarets manager Jeff King has a full squad available for Saturday's game, which should include new signings such as Dave Rainford and Chris Moore.

Chelmsford enjoyed an impressive pre-season, and competition within in the squad is high according to coach Glenn Pennyfather, "There's a real competition for places and you can see in training how competitive the players are to show what they can do," he said to theBraintree and Witham Times.

United head honcho, Garry Harlock, views this clash as a vitally important one, "It's important to get a good start to give us confidence and good morale," he told This Is Local London. "It will also help us attract better players."

Harlock will also have a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Newport County v AFC Wimbledon

Newport County welcome the Dons to Newport Stadium as new manager Dean Holdswoth prepares to face the team he made his name with.

An excited Holdsworth told the South Wales Argus,"I'm delighted with how AFC Wimbledon have done and I definitely consider them my old club, not MK Dons," he added. "I want them to do well but obviously I hope they're the losing side tomorrow."

Barring the suspensions of Craig Hughes and Chris Hartland, Holdsworth has a full squad at his disposal, with David Collins expected to recover from injury in time to claim his spot in the match day squad.

The Don's fans have been waiting for their opportunity in the league for years now, and Terry Brown will be hoping his team impress as their hordes of fans make the trip to Newport.

Brown doesn't think the game to be a classic though, "I don't expect it to be a footballing feast. The first game of the season is invariably a frantic affair with both teams anxious to get their season off to a good start. A combination of nerves and adrenalin will no doubt see us playing in a more direct fashion," he told AFC Wimbledon.

The Don's will be at full strength for the game.

St Albans v Havant & Waterlooville

Havant and Waterlooville are many a pundits favourite for the Blue Square South title, and the Hawks fans will be expecting a win when they travel to Clarence Park.

The Hawks have strengthened their squad in the off-season by capturing four members of the team that won the title with Lewes last season.

Despite this, manager Shaun Gale is taking a cautious approach to Saturday's game, "'St Albans is never an easy place to go to and we came unstuck there 1-0 towards the end of last season," he told the The News.

"Their manager Steve Castle has got them playing well and they were one of the most improved sides at the end of last season."

Paul Booth is out for this one with a groin injury, whilst Charlie Henry is doubtful after a sustaining a knock during the pre-season clash with AFC Wimbledon.

For the Saints, Ryan Frater is out after fracturing his leg during pre-season, but otherwise Steve Castle has a full squad.

This comes as a relief to Castle, who knows his side face a tough opening to the season, telling the St.Albans & Harpenden Review,"It's a very tough start for us," said Castle. "We've pretty much got the three favourites in our first three matches and it will be a good assessment for us. We are quietly confident and I think we might surprise a few people. Let's hope so."

Thurrock v Eastleigh

Eastleigh head to Ship Lane looking for revenge, after defeat against Thurrock at the back end of last season destroyed the Spitfires play-off hopes.

Aside from a heavy defeat at Bournemouth. Eastleigh enjoyed a very successful pre-season, including a victory in the South West Errea Cup. With silverware already in the cupboard, the Spitfires will be on a high, despite their reportedly precarious financial position

Eastleigh carry over three suspensions from last season, but have no injury worries.

Thurrock produced a mixed bag of results in the run up to the season, and will be hoping for more consistency as the season begins.

With Lee Flynn and Greg Lincoln suspended, and Leon McKenzie struggling for fitness, the Fleet are looking a little light ahead of what will be a bruising encounter.

Weston-super-Mare v Bishop's Stortford

Bishop's fans and players alike will be delighted to head into the seasons opener with the clubs short term future secure, after a court ruled in favour of the club in a case that could have cost the Woodside Park side 5 million pounds.

The clubs financial position has meant that the size of the playing squad has been greatly reduced, a fact that is sure to have a great impact later in the season.

For now the Bishop's head into their clash with Weston-super-Mare with a full complement of players at their disposal.

The seagulls have been busy in the off-season, with a number of new signings joining the club on the eve of the commencement of the season. The men from Woodspring Stadium have greater depth and caliber then their visitors, and with a full squad available for the game, manager Tony Ricketts will be a happy man.

Click here for all the Blue SQ betting odds.