Ashford United boss Kevin Watson looks ahead to opening-day Isthmian South East game against Erith & Belvedere

Manager Kevin Watson thinks Ashford’s opening-day Isthmian South East trip to newly-promoted Erith & Belvedere will be a good test of where his squad are at.

The new-look Nuts & Bolts, fresh from beating lower-division Hollands & Blair on Saturday to progress in the FA Cup, visit the Southern Counties East Premier Division champions.

The game will be played on Sunday with The Deres, who hammered division rivals Littlehampton 6-0 in the FA Cup, ground-sharing at Welling United.

Defender Finn O’Mara - who Watson and assistant Adam Flanagan worked with at Herne Bay last campaign - former Ramsgate boss Jamie Coyle, one-time Tottenham trialist Josh Ajayi and fellow frontman Chris Dickson are among Erith’s squad.

Watson said: “I think all teams are chasing their first win and points of the season.

“Erith & Belvedere have made some really strong signings.

“They’re well equipped and I think that was demonstrated in their FA Cup win on Sunday. It didn’t really surprise me, that result.

“They have been to see us and we have been to see them. I think that will be a good gauge of where we’re at.

“It’s interesting that it’s on Sunday, so we will probably go and see some games on Saturday.”

The start of Ashford’s league season comes after they won 3-0 at Southern Counties East Premier Division Blair to progress to the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Watson said: “It’s always an interesting one, having an FA Cup tie first game back when you come to a club, isn’t it?

“You know cup ties are potential banana skins when you play teams in the league below.

“So it’s very pleasing, getting through and into the next round.”

Striker Ian Draycott, 35, bagged a brace while Alex Akrofi was also on the scoresheet.

“Draycs is someone we have known for