We welcome Kings Hill today and wish them a pleasant stay at Wested Meadow, barring the 90 minutes on the pitch of course!

A pleasing win on Saturday and a clean sheet in our first league game, gives us something to build on for the season and we hope to follow that with three points today. Kings Hill will be tough opponents and we go into the game knowing we’ll have to work hard and perform well if we’re to get anything from it.

We’ve had a good pre-season, not only in terms of results but generally on the training pitch too. Last season was difficult. We did what was needed to successfully survive, but both of us weren’t happy with certain aspects of the playing squad - some players turned up when they wanted, didn’t train, wouldn’t follow team instructions. It wasn’t ideal, and our league position reflected this. This was our main aim during pre-season, to instil the correct behaviours, attitude and commitment into players to compliment their ability.

The lads have responded fantastically to that and should be proud of their efforts over pre-season.Regarding the playing squad, there have been some changes. Some players from last season have moved onto other clubs, including our top goal scorer Omar El Mantawy who moves to league rivals Staplehurst. Naturally this is a loss; however, we feel our squad now is stronger than last season - not only have we got players of similar or better ability than those who have gone, the squad has more balance to it. Last season we got by with mainly two centre backs and a left back in defence, no regular right back. We now go into this season with two players per position, creating competition for spaces and cover when players are absent. This is a great position to be in for us as management.

There will be times when some players can’t play as we have a full 16, and that’s something for us to try and manage fairly, whilst also putting out a side which we think will give us the best chance of picking up three points. The important factor is those players not playing keep their heads up, keep the right attitude and fight to get back into the side. If they do that, they’ll have no problems getting minutes this season.Lastly, the atmosphere amongst the players has been fantastic.

They’re a group of lads who have gelled well together, are becoming mates off the pitch and are able to support each other on it. The introduction of a Man of the Match award in the bar is something new for this season, and should go down well - but we know the lads won’t always agree with the managers decision on this one! It was great to be in the changing room after Saturday’s win, where it was quite literally bouncing as the lads celebrated together.

We hope for more of that today and across the season.

Cheers........Steve and Chris