HARROW BOROUGH face a tough opening fixture on Saturday, with manager David Howell admitting his side will be 'sacrifical lambs' when they travel to fancied Dover Athletic.

The Whites romped to the Ryman Division One South title by 12 points last season and, under the stewardship of former Watford and Gillingham midfielder Andy Hessenthaler, are tipped to take the Premier Division by storm.

"Dover are many people's favourites to go up based on the way they won the league last year," said Howell, whose latest signings are Simon Dahl and exNorthwood striker Jerome Hall (see page 46).

"Andy Hessenthaler has a good track record and they will be very organised and will have a point to prove.

"We are the sacrificial lamb and I suppose we go there with no pressure on us." However, Howell, who saw his side go down 3-2 at Cheshunt on Saturday, and who finished their pre-season against QPR last night (Wednesday), does have concerns over a lack of fluidity.

"I've got a good team here but, at the moment, we are not firing as a team," he said.

* Harrow host Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday (7.45pm).