RAYNERS Lane manager Mick Bradshaw admits he will not know if his new side are ready to challenge for promotion until Christmas.

Bradshaw is new to the Tithe Farm hot seat following the summer departure of Dene Gardner at the helm.

Gardner led the Lane to the Hellenic League Division One East title last term but the club were not granted promotion due to ground grading issues.

It has been a mixed start for the new-look side, who were beaten 3-1 by Wokingham & Emmbrook on Saturday with Callum McCaroll’s penalty proving scant consolation.

And Bradshaw is looking at the situation with a long-term plan in place, insisting he will have a better idea of where his boys will finish come December. He said: “It could take us up to Christmas to get these players bedded in. Our initial thoughts were that we would be looking to compete and win the division again, but I won’t know until Christmas whether we are performing at that capability and results will reflect that.

“I don’t think the players have quite got into the groove at the moment. It’s difficult because we’ve got players coming from different areas, who’ve been coached at different levels.

“There’s only a few players from the Rayners Lane teams from the last three years, everyone else has scattered. I knew I’d have to bring in my own players anyway so I wasn’t particularly bothered by that. I’ve got access to lots of good players. It’s just a case of getting people in the right slots and getting the team balanced.”

Paul Leslie man of the match against Wokingham & Emmbrook, with the Lane needing another stellar performance from him this weekend as they host Headington Amateurs.