Southern League preview: Cirens sound out an alarm

DIV ONE SOUTH

FEW comparisons can be drawn from the two curtailed seasons which suggests more of the same can be expected this time around.

The 2019-20 leaders Thatcham Town are now in the Isthmian League South Central following a slow start last term under new manager Jamie Leacock. They were moved across along with Basingstoke Town.

Cirencester Town won eight of their first nine last season having been chasing down the play-offs previously.

But the likes of Frome Town, Larkhall Athletic and Melksham Town all struggled to go again after the disappointed of the null and void decision. So too did Mangotsfield United who lost all seven of their matches.

Winchester City and Paulton Rovers did at least shown some replication of their 2019-20 form.

Bristol Manor Farm boss Lee Lashenko, meanwhile, has told The NLP they’re aiming for promotion this time.

Bolstered by some talented recruits to his squad, he believes now is the time for the Portwaymen to take the next step following Western League success in 2016-17.

“I don’t see a point in playing down expectation,” he said. “Some people like being crafty-dafty, they like to shoot you down, but those people need to get a different interest.”

Up for the challenge too is Plymouth Parkway manager Lee Hobbs, who has led the club from Step 6 into the Southern League for the first time.

Parkway were promoted in the restructure due to having the best points-pergame return over the last two seasons in the Western League Premier.

He’ll be looking to repay the faith shown in him by the club after becoming their first manager to be given a contract.

Lymington Town are the other new club to join the league after success in the Wessex League – and the FA Vase – over the past two seasons.

The division will run with 19 teams after Moneyfields – who dropped down for Step 4 – decided to resign due to financial reasons.