A NEW tactic in the pre-season preparations at Wick Lane is something the management team are hoping to reap the benefits from.

Downton FC went unbeaten in last season’s friendlies but failed to back up the victories in competitive matches up until the festive period.

This time around, Colin Hopkins’ charges have had a mixed bag of results in the build up to their 2015/16 Wessex Division One campaign.

But the boss has reiterated his desire for fitness levels over results, gaining two wins, one draw and a couple of losses over the last month.

Hopkins, who’s joined by Ben Smith as assistant manager and Mitch Blake, said: “Last year we did not lose a pre-season friendly and performed poorly in the league until December, so Mitch, Ben and I put together a completely different programme this time.”

“Our chairman, Colin Stainer, has been extremely supportive and patient and I have never seen the ground looking so good. It’s time for us to give something back through our league results.”

Hopkins has preserved all players from last season and added Ollie Rowe and TJ Moseley from Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Dan Telfer, who hardly featured last season due to work commitments, will be available and Dan Newman is back from a long-term injury to skipper the side.

He added: “All players from last season have been retained and new signings Ollie Rowe and TJ Moseley have slotted into the team brilliantly.

“Having Telfer and Newman back is as good as two new signings and they have performed so well in our pre-season friendlies — it’s as if they’ve never been away!”.

“The big positive at the moment is competition for places, something we rarely had last season and everyone knows they cannot assume a place in the starting line-up.”

The Robins kick off at home (Wick Lane) to Totton & Eling – relegated from Wessex Premier – at 3pm.