HALESOWEN Town manager John Hill says his players couldn't be better prepared for the new campaign.

The Yeltz kick off their first ever season in the Northern Premier League with a tricky journey to Lancashire to face Skelmersdale United this Saturday.

Hill said: "Everyone is looking forward to the new season.

"Our main objective is that we make sure we are in this league again next season. We need to consolidate and then move forwards from there.

"However, I'm not the sort of person that can just survive, I always want to look ahead and achieve more.

"Our budget will probably be the lowest in the league so people's expectations need to reflect that, but that doesn't mean we can't over achieve once again."

It's a tough start for last season's Division One champions against a Skelmersdale side that narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season.

"Skelmersdale will be a tough ask," added Hill. "We will know a lot more about where we are as a team at this level after the weekend.

"The new lads have fitted in really well. Peter Till has got some good qualities, Thompson-Brown has already shown that he possesses a lot of natural ability and Joel Kettle will give us a lot more options.

"All of the new players can play in different positions as well.

"The biggest thing for us was keeping hold of the majority of our players. That strong togetherness is what helped us achieve promotion.

"I'm not a fan of pre-season games, especially scores in pre-season, because it can give a false impression of where you are.

"However, fitness-wise, it has gone really well and I think everyone is fully prepared. We couldn't have done anymore and everyone is looking very sharp."