HALLEN manager Gary Damone says there’s a good atmosphere in his squad ahead of the new season.

They begin the Toolstation Western Premier League campaign on Saturday with a home game against Corsham at Moorhouse Lane with a good pre-season behind them.

Though it may be wise not to look too much into friendlies, one can’t help but be impressed by Hallen’s record which has seen them beat Shepton Mallet 4-1, Southern League side Taunton Town 1-0, Wells City 4-1 and Axa 5-1.

Damone has managed to keep last season’s squad together which he thinks was key, with a couple of new faces to add strength, and he says they’re all looking forward to the first game.

He said: “We’ve had a good pre-season. Gary Powell, the coach, has done really well with the players so fitness-wise we look quite good.

“There’s a good atmosphere, everyone is looking forward to it - it should be good fun.

“We’ve got another year together so that will make us a bit stronger, we’re a bit more organised now on and off the pitch - there’s been lots of work done to the ground, it looks a picture at the moment.”

In Damone’s first season in charge Hallen finished ninth and he believes they can show further progression this time around.

“I’d like to finish higher than ninth and I really hope we can,” he said.

In Division One, Almondsbury UWE are ready for a new adventure this season following the culmination of Almondsbury FC and the University of West of England Football Club.

It is hoped that Almondsbury will benefit from taking talented players who are at University and expectations are high that they will improve on their bottom half finish last season.

Danny Phillips’ men begin with a trip to Portishead Town on Saturday.