HOST OF CLUBS CAN CHALLENGE

THE RACE for Step 3 promises to be enthralling with a host of clubs eyeing success.

There is a quirk to come, with two play-off winners across the level set to be denied promotion. But before that it’s all eyes forward.

In the Southern League East, AFC Dunstable and Cambridge City will be looking to improve on their fifth and sixth-place finishes respectively.

Didcot Town are looking to build on last season’s play-off finish and Corby Town could be one to watch out for under young boss Steve Kinniburgh, while league new boys Bromsgrove Sporting have been on the up for the last two seasons. The league also throws up some exciting derbies including AFC Dunstable against Dunstable Town as well as Aylesbury v Aylesbury United – known as El Quackico!

In the West division, Evesham and Bideford should be strong and Cirencester Town have still got top scorer Ben Whitehead, who netted 43 times last season.

Moneyfields made a flying start to last season but fell away, while AFC Totton have made some impressive summer signings. Stuart Green joins from Salisbury, where he scored 30 goals to help the Whites to promotion, and adds to the coup of Justin Bennett – a prolific scorer with Gosport Borough and Salisbury before injury hampered him at Oxford City last season. Cirencester Town also look to have a squad to push.

Thatcham Town will hope they can translate their success at Step 5 that also saw them lift the FA Vase – keeping 63-goal striker Shane Cooper-Clark a big plus.

Melksham Town, promoted from the Western League, have one of the best facilities at the level but say they are just looking for consolidation.

The two new sides are joined by fellow promoted teams, Blackfield & Langley, Highworth Town and Street.