BASSETT Bulldogs manager Colin Cochrane says there will be no expectations of his side following their step up to the Wiltshire League from the Swindon & District League.

Having been promoted from Division One of the District League two seasons’ ago, having finished third, Bassett have made another jump in standard having finished third again in the Premier Division last term.

Now, despite not feeling completely ready in their preparations, Bassett take part in the Wiltshire League this coming weekend and will look to make the most of the opportunity.

“This opportunity came up and we all felt that we are capable to stepping up to this level,” said Cochrane.

“If it doesn’t work out for us, it doesn’t work out but at least we know we’ve tried it at a different level.

“I think we’re the first team to get promoted that way as well.

“There’s no pressure on us whatsoever as a team. As long as we’re still enjoying our football, that’s the main thing. We are a bunch of mates who play football together and we want to keep it that way.

“We also want to get that winning mentality on a Saturday, it’s about that balance.

“I would say, at the moment, we are a bit far off from where we would want to be.

“We’ve got some good new additions that have come in, some really good players but at the moment, we are struggling to settle in and blend as a team.

“Pre-season has been very miss-matched and we’ve lost a lot more games than we wanted to.

“We’re just getting used to the new league, with it starting early as well.”

Bassett kick off their season away to Pewsey Vale Development, who struggled last term, coming bottom of the teams that finished the season, with only one win to their name.

However, Cochrane is not taking any notice of that and will just be concentrating on putting the finishing touches to his side.

“I’m not interested in the results from last season, especially when it’s a development team, they change every year.

“We’ve stepped up and our preparation hasn’t been great so we don’t know how we’ll start. It’s going to be a lot of the unknown, but it’s exciting at the same time.”

Meanwhile, reigning champions Wroughton start away to Trowbridge Town, whose crown they took last season, while third-place finishers Melksham Town Reserves host Purton, who have dropped out of the Hellenic League.