LAMBS EYEING INSTANT RETURN

THREE WORLDS collide as the curtain is raised on the new Southern League Central.

The much-awaited division encompasses clubs who have been playing in all three feeder leagues – Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier League. Stretching from Merthyr to Lowestoft, through the heart of the country it promises to be an intriguing mix of styles.

Picking out a winner is tricky in what looks to be a seriously competitive competition but the summer talk has mainly centred around three clubs – Kettering, King’s Lynn Town and Tamworth.

And with good reason. Relegated from the National League North, Tamworth are making no secret of their aim to make an instant return.

Head coach Mike Fowler is pleased with the summer recruitment and they have some quality up front.

Firepower is something Marcus Law’s Kettering boast. Aaron O’Connor scored 40 goals last season and will be a big player if they are to challenge.

King’s Lynn have had a change of management in the summer with Simon Clark taking over from Ian Culverhouse and his remit is to take the club one step further than last season’s play-off final defeat.

Leiston have to be respected. Glenn Driver’s Suffolk side have gained a reputation for exciting football while in the Bostik League and last season they made the play-offs where they were beaten by Dulwich Hamlet.

If they can get Matt Blake back to the scoring form of two seasons ago then they will cause problems.

Rushall Olympic have a manager in Liam McDonald who has a habit of piecing together successful teams at this level, while Stourbridge will be looking to challenge for the play-offs.

There are three clubs promoted from Step 4 – Alvechurch are on a run with successive promotions under boss Ian Long and could maybe surprise a few.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Bedworth United are also coming up and they will look to harness the momentum from their promotion seasons.

And how about Coalville Town. Manager Adam Stevens returns to his hometown club having taken Grantham Town close to promotion from the NPL last season.