BASHLEY face their sternest test of the season tomorrow as they welcome Rymans Premier League outfit St Albans City to the Recreation Ground in the FA Umbro Trophy second round (3pm kick-off).

The Hertfordshire side have been in impressive form of late and defeat last Saturday by leaders Farnborough Town saw the Saints drop their first league points for six games.

Bashley were knocked out the competition at this stage by Newport County last season however, assistant manager Trevor Senior believes the New Foresters can go one better this time around.

He said: "We've already beaten Salisbury in the first round of this competition and Dorchester in the Dr Martens Cup this season. Both sides are in the division above us yet we showed we can hold our own against the big boys.

"St Albans put our Eastern Division rivals Chelmsford out of this trophy in round one so when we played at Chelmsford a fortnight ago, they were able to give us a good run down of what to expect. St Albans are quite a lively team but we maybe able to get at them at the back.

"Obviously they have had a good unbeaten run lately but we've got home advantage and if we can get a big crowd, I'm sure we're capable of beating them."

Goalkeeper Geoff Sim returns to the squad after missing the last two months with hip, groin and lower back injuries sustained against Langney Sports at the beginning of October.

However, Dean May will start in goal as Sim is lacking match fitness and practice.

Also included in the squad are Richard Morse and Martin Beck.

Both players stood out in Bash reserves' 2-2 draw at Eastleigh in the Combination Cup on Wednesday and Senior thinks they will bring a different dimension to the team.

He said: "Richard got a couple of goals against Eastleigh and looked sharp. Martin looked very dangerous down the left and is capable of getting good ball into the box with his left foot. They'll both be useful additions."

However, Bash will be without Craig Davis, who starts a two-match ban and Stuart Cooper, suspended for 35 days after being sent off in the reserves.

Senior added that both Davis and Cooper would be missed.

"Craig can play all across midfield and he has been getting forward really well. He's been in good form recently.

"In a way I feel sorry for him because he hasn't been able to hold down one position but we will definitely miss him tomorrow. With Jimmy Anderson still not match fit, Phil Andrews or Dave Puckett will probably drop into midfield to cover the work that Craig has been doing."

Bashley: (from) May, Goss, Darnton, James, Elley, J Diaz, T Diaz, Robson, Masters, Andrews, Gee, Puckett, Young, Liddon, Sim, Beck, Morse.

l Local rivals Poole Town and Ringwood Town do battle in the Hampshire League Premier Division at Long Lane (3pm).

Richard Glenister, signed this week from Wessex League Lymington and New Milton, goes straight into the Poole squad in place of the suspended Jamie Holland. Andy Culliford should finally make his debut for the Dolphins after two aborted weather-hit attempts and Simon Flanz and Danny Adam could return from injury.

Ringwood: (from) Goodman, Taylor, Dilling, Knibbs, B Antell, Newbury, Spear, Reeves, Geary, J Antell, Rolfe, Darwin, Allen, Bircumshaw.

Poole: (from) Wardle, Gater, Pratt, Manning, Flanz, Mooney, Maloney, Lynn, Wall, Glenister, Atherton, Jones, Fletcher, Adams, Homer, Culliford.

l Hamworthy Recreation host Jewson Wessex League outfit Swanage Town and Herston in the Dorset Senior Cup at Magna Road (2pm). Recreation have won 12 of their 13 Dorset Combination games this season while Swans have lost nine of their 15 league matches

Recreation: (from) Leonard, Miles, Watson, Davis, Riding, Hurren, Scott, Moores, Rigler, Turner, Wildish, Moores, Withey, Miles, Radburn.