Boss wary of banana skin opener

Aggborough also welcomes Blue Square Premier new-boys for the second opening day in a row tomorrow (3pm), after the visit of Blue Square South champions Lewes in 2008.

This time the London club come to town for their first-ever game in non-league's top flight, after a southern division play-off final win last season.

And Harriers have slipped up in all three opening games against newcomers to the league. The Rooks escaped with a 1-1 draw last year, while the team crashed 3-1 at St Albans in 2006 - five months before Yates replaced Stuart Watkiss in the manager's chair.

But the current boss is still none too pleased with having a cup-tie like first test to guide his side through.

He said: "I had my moan about this when the fixtures were released, because for me there is no worse time to be playing a promoted side. Hayes & Yeading will come to Aggborough, looking at a good pitch in a decent stadium and thinking, 'this is not bad is it?'

"They will be full of confidence, on a high after last year and will want to turn a decent team over. We will have to be at our best to win this game.

"But my new-look team is not afraid to bring the ball down and play, so that is what I will be looking for."

Yates must now make key decisions on his first side of the season, with a full quota of 18 players at last after a summer of ins and outs at Aggborough.

But - for those who don't make the initial cut - the manager has assured every member of his squad will get their chances to impress down the road.

He said: "I will tell the players that I can only pick 11 players, out of a good squad that we have worked very hard to get. Some of them are going to be disappointed that they are not starting on the opening day, but they will get their chance.

"Martin Riley didn't start in the team last year, but went on to be one of our top players and top performers of the season. He proved it does happen."