WELLINGTON Reserves manager Chris Evans has laid down a marker in the HFA County League by saying his team are the side to beat this season.

The Premier Division kicks off this weekend, with former champions Welly going to new boys Malvern Town Under-21s.

And they go into the game in great form having thrashed reigning champions Hinton 6-2 in a pre-season friendly last week.

"Pre-season has gone really well and we look strong," said Evans.

"Ryan Daw is back up front and Mike Olive, Glen Segust and Dean Price have also returned.

"We've retained a few players from last season and it's looking like a really good squad.

"My aim is to win it and I think we'll be the team to beat."

Olive netted a hat-trick against Hinton, with Daw, Segust and Neil Walmsley also on target.

"It was nice to put a marker down so people know what to expect from us," added Evans.

Hinton, meanwhile, are now managed by Mike Marsden and Rod Haslam after Dave Priday stepped down.

Jon Pugh, Matt Evans, Simon Stubbs and Steve Cuss have all departed, meaning that Hinton will have a largely young squad this season.

However, Marsden is confident his team will still be in the mix.

"It has been challenging because we lost some experienced players at the end of last season so we are going through a period of rebuilding, but we've got some good teenagers playing and have a good competitive side," said Marsden.

"We are definitely in a better position than we were four weeks ago and have signed Shane Moon, Kane and Joel Nicholls and Brandon Jennings, who was at Hereford Under-18s.

"We've also got George Tindale, who was the keeper at Pegasus and Tim Eaton who has been in the West Midlands League.

"Our average age has gone down but we're looking to the future and it's quite exciting.

"Last year we were quite direct, whereas this year we're trying to play more football.

"It's going to be a transitional year, but at the end of the season, I think we were still be near the top."

Marsden felt that last Saturday's result could have been different if his side had converted a number of chances.

"We've played some good sides in friendlies, like Llandrindod Wells and Gala Wi;ton, whom we only lost 3-2 to," said Marsden.