Ashford United's Sam Hasler says make-up of Isthmian South East division for upcoming season has worked out nicely for him; Midfielder out with hamstring injury

Ashford United's Sam Hasler admits the make-up of the Isthmian South East division for the new season has worked out nicely for him.

Lloyd Hume’s side are off to Sheppey on Saturday’s opening day before Tuesday’s visit of Sevenoaks.

There are lots of games much-travelled midfielder Hasler is looking forward to, but he’ll miss the fixture at former club Faversham on August 23 with a hamstring injury. The club hope he will return before the end of September.

Ashford face a trip to Herne Bay - where Hasler first made his mark in senior football more than a decade ago - in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on September 6, with their league clash at Winch’s Field set to be staged on March 7.

He said: “Hastings are coming down, as well, which will be a familiar one.

“The league is set up quite nicely in terms of familiar faces for me, going back to a few places I’ve been to before.

"I left Hastings on good terms and got on with loads of the fans.

“I’ve not been down to Herne Bay for a while.

“I’m looking forward to the new season and I think it’ll be competitive.

“I know you had Ramsgate and Sittingbourne last year who both did really well so, obviously, Sittingbourne will be one of the main teams to beat.”

Another match Hasler is looking forward to is the trip to newly-promoted Jersey Bulls on Saturday, October 4.

While the 32-year-old has played against their neighbours, Guernsey, he admits he knows little about Elliot Powell’s men.

“That’ll be an interesting one because Guernsey used to be a really interesting one,” said Hasler.

“I went there when I was a young lad with Erith & Belvedere in the FA Vase. That was a really long time ago!

"That was a decent experience, going over there. I’ve done it in the league, as well.