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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Promoted teams Dover Athletic and Staines Town kick off their respective Blue Square South adventures with tricky trips on the opening day of the 2009/10 campaign.

The Whites travel to Maidenhead United, who just missed out on a play-off place last season, while Town make the journey to Weston-Super-Mare.

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler is ready for the challenges which lie ahead in Blue Square South, despite not recruiting all of the players he would have liked.

Hessenthaler is looking forward to playing against some tough opposition this season and believes the squad he has is good enough to do well.

He told the club's official website: "The jump we're about to make is a big jump but I expect us to be knocking on the door with the squad we're developing and I'm sure the fans do too."

Staines manager Steve Cordery, meanwhile, has had a tough time recruiting players, but a victory on the opening weekend will put those concerns to bed.

Blue Square Premier relegated clubs Lewes and Weymouth square off in a match which both managers would not have wanted on the opening weekend.

However, Terras boss Matty Hale is confident of getting a result at The Dripping Pan.

He told the Dorset Echo: "I have been to watch them (Lewes) and we are not going there for a point or to lose. We are going there to score goals and hopefully come away with a win.

"Like us they are a young side trying to find their feet again and it is certainly somewhere I think we can get something."

Woking, another team which suffered relegation last season, travel to Welling United and, with both clubs harbouring ambitions for promotion, a good start is vital.

Chelmsford City, who really should have achieved promotion last season, will be hoping that their excellent pre-season form can be carried forward into their clash with Bath City.

While Chelmsford are expected to do well again, manager Glenn Pennyfather has asked the club's fans and critics alike for patience as he looks to gel his squad.

"I think we will have an exciting, new team with the right blend of experienced players and younger, ambitious players keen to do well here and make progress to a higher level," Pennyfather told This Is Total Essex.

"It will take time to have the team running smoothly as players get to know each other but from what I have seen from our successful pre-season friendlies we're well on the right track."

Saturday's matches in full:

Bishop's Stortford v Newport County

Chelmsford City v Bath City

Dorchester Town v St Albans City

Eastleigh v Braintree Town

Hampton & Richmond Boro v Basingstoke

Havant and Waterlooville v Thurrock

Lewes v Weymouth

Maidenhead United v Dover Athletic

Welling United v Woking

Weston-Super-Mare v Staines Town

Worcester City v Bromley

Posted: Friday , August 07, 2009

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I am surprised at the lack of optimism! Agreed I think the league is harder this year and there has b... MORE >>

By Orpewise on Mon, 26th July 10

Blue Square South Standings
BlueSq South Standings
1 Basingstoke Town 0
2 Bishops Stortford 0
3 Boreham Wood 0
4 Braintree Town 0
5 Bromley 0
6 Chelmsford 0
7 Dartford 0
8 Dorchester 0
9 Dover 0
10 Eastleigh 0
Full standings
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