HIGHWORTH Town manager Jeff Roberts hopes his side can pick up where they left off at the end of last season as he sets his sights on being amongst the leading contenders in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

The Worthians finished the 2016/17 campaign sixth in the table, while Roberts also led them to the finals of both the Wiltshire Senior and Hellenic Challenge cups in his first season in charge.

Roberts’ tenure at the Elms got off to a stuttering start 12 months ago with defeats in Highworth’s first four league games but things swiftly turned around and they ended the season with 19 wins from the 34 fixtures.

Ahead of the start of the campaign tonight, in which Highworth travel to Lydney Town, Roberts is keen to put a marker down early.

“We have looked at areas we thought we could strengthen from last season and hopefully we have,” said Roberts.

“We have brought around eight players in so we have got a squad of 22 players and now it’s about trying to keep all of them happy.

“We have got a good group of players, they have all gelled well together, there are no big-headed players, and they all get on well and have a laugh. The new guys have blended in.

“We have high expectations of them all and we are looking strong this year. We are looking to compete and challenge.

“Last season we had to try to rebuild the side and I think, after the first month, we were near the bottom so there were a lot of people that probably thought the wrong bloke had come in.

“Once we started clicking, we did OK and we ended up finishing sixth and made two cup finals, so it shows the progression.

“Hopefully we can start like that, get a win up at Lydney and continue from there.”

Roberts concedes that starting the season with a 100-plus mile round trip in midweek is not ideal, although he has no concerns about his side’s potential to start with a victory.

“I would rather go there when the pitch is going to be good instead of going there in the winter when it will be wet and difficult,” said Roberts.

“It should suit us there as we do like to move the ball around quickly.”

Despite strengthening their squad over the summer, Highworth will still be without several key players this evening.

Aysa Corrick still has three games to serve of a suspension from last season, Ryan Stanners and Callum Parsons are both unavailable, while Tony Joyce, Jordan Roberts and Jon Davoile miss out through injury.

Reigning Division One West champions Fairford Town kick-off their Premier One campaign at Tuffley Rovers, while Royal Wootton Bassett Town start tomorrow at Brackley Town Saints.