NEWLY-appointed skipper Andy Neal is targeting a fast start from Bashley – with promoted local rivals Lymington first up on his Division One hit-list.

Neal, who has replaced Andy Sexton as captain, leads Bashley for the first time as the New Forest adversaries go head to head at Bashley Road (1pm).

Bashley were embroiled in a tense relegation battle for much of last season with four defeats in their first four matches setting the tone for the campaign.

“It is going to be all about the start for us,” said Neal. “That was probably where it went wrong last season. A few of the games could have gone either way but ended up not going our way.

“We haven’t played Lymington in the league for about six years and we’re looking forward to it. If you can’t get up for this game, you won’t get up for any game.”

Neal added: “I think we can give it a really good push this season. It’s not worth playing if you don’t think you can push all the way. We’ve got a lot of good players, we just need a bit of belief.”

Bashley welcome back Greg Jones who has been sidelined for a couple of seasons with a double stress fracture of his back.

Nick Baker, a member of the Dorset emerging squad, arrives from Dorset League Blandford, while Richard Morris should feature more regularly following his release by Hampshire.

Bashley’s overseas addition Graham Allen, an 18-year-old from South Africa, is expected to acclimatise in the seconds.

Bashley: (from) Neal, Sexton, Morris, Thurgood, Waller, C Jones, Nash, G Jones, Friedman, Grierson, King, Baker, Bailiff, Mayer.

  • Dave Kidner and Matt Metcalfe have both returned to boost Bournemouth’s ranks and are set to line up in their curtain-raiser against the Hampshire Academy at the Rose Bowl nursery ground.

Kidner has been abroad for a couple of years, while Metcalfe has rejoined from Totton and Eling. Batsman Scott Mills has arrived from Hursley Park and Chris Cahill is studying at Bournemouth University.

Bournemouth: (from) de Weymarn, Cahill, Denham, Kidner, Metcalfe, Mills, N Park, J Park, C Ridley, S Ridley, Watkins, Wells, Smith.

  • South African recruit Andreas Van de Walt will make his debut for New Milton in their Division Two opener at Havant.

New Milton: (from) R Beck, Linge, Whitehurst, Van de Walt, Neal, Gargaro, Watts, L Beck, Freeman, Adlem, Loader, Locke.