SHOBDON are confident that they have got a strong squad ahead of their return to the Herefordshire Premier this season.

The Herefordshire County League is due to begin on August 31 and the Dons manager Rob Williams is confident of their chances.

"I can't wait," said Williams

"We should have a strong squad this year and we are hoping to do reasonably well.

"We have got a few lads who are coming back from regional football to play for Shobdon so we are as confident as we can be.

"Last year we were our own worst enemy and we should have pushed Ludlow (Colts) a lot closer than we did but let ourselves down.

"We are expecting to have a half-decent season. We were last in the Herefordshire Premier four or five years ago and we are a different team now.

"One or two of the older boys are still here but apart from that it's completely different.

"We have recruited some more established players than last year and they are more reliable."

The Dons continued their pre-season preparations on Saturday when they beat Clee Hill thanks to a Ben Price strike.

"The game went okay, but it was a challenging day with the wind and player availability," added Williams

"We won which was the main thing and it has been a positive pre-season. The winner was a wonder strike.

"It was a tough first half against the wind and the visitors were a flying young squad.

"We controlled the game and then in the second half we were the better side but couldn't put away our chances.

"We probably should have scored four or five."

Williams has been pleased with their pre-season preparations which has also seen them reach the semi-final of the Borth United Pre-season Cup and beat Knighton Town 4-0.

"The pre-season cup in Borth was a good day and we eventually went out in the semi-final losing 1-0 due to a wonder strike put we played five 40- minute games," added Williams.

"We have won every friendly game in pre-season so far and only conceded two goals.

"So it has been positive and we are trying to ramp it up now."