WEALDSTONE hope to catch pre-season favourites Tonbridge Angels on the hop when they open their Ryman Premier campaign at Grosvenor Vale on Saturday at 3pm.

Gordon Bartlett's team aims to start life at their new home with a bang but will need to show the same level of fight and determination that rocked Watford in the 3-1 pre-season win last month if they are to have any chance of defeating the Angels.

Tommy Warrilow's men narrowly missed out on a play off place last season, finishing eighth, but are being talked about as one of the title favourites this time around.

Like Wealdstone, the Kent club have enjoyed a productive pre-season campaign, but that will count for little when both sides cross the white line at Ruislip Manor.

"Our opening fixtures could not be any tougher," said Bartlett.

"Tonbridge have a very strong squad and have got to be one of the favourites.

"It is our first 'home' game for many years and we would love to do well.

"However, I am not going to get carried away by the occasion.

"I'm looking for a nice solid start and we'll assess how we've done after 10 games.

"If we've got 16 or more points by that stage then we'll be reasonably happy."

Bartlett, who earlier this week completed the signings of goalkeeper Sean Thomas and midfield schemer Gary Burrell, is hoping his players can take inspiration from some of their sterner pre-season tests into Saturday's league clash.

"It would be nice to catch one of the big boys cold before they get into their stride, so who knows?" said the manager.

"The two best sides we played during pre-season, Watford and Hampton, we gave a good account of ourselves. It would be nice to do the same on Saturday."

Asked whether those results could be attributed to players raising their game against the better sides, Bartlett replied: "I think that is a lot to do with the attitude of the players.

"One of the big things we've been looking at his season is the mental aspect of the players."

Bartlett is keeping his starting line-up under wraps, but admits he is facing a striker crisis after Ben Alexander and Stephen Hughes suffered hamstring strains in Saturday's 2-3 defeat to Hemel Hempstead Town.

"They must be a doubt for Saturday," groaned the manager, who also has David Hicks and Ben Clarke suspended for the season opener while Mark Boyce is set to go undergo ankle surgery.

* Stones travel to face Ashford Town on Tuesday.