According to boss Mark Hams, Walton Casuals have a horrendous start to the new Ryman Division One South season.

The Casuals face trips to Hastings United on August 12, followed by the long journey to Folkestone Invicta on August 17.

However, every cloud has a silver lining, and Hams points to the season opener at home to Faversham an opportunity to start the season high on confidence.

Hams said: “We have not won a home game for more than a year, and playing at home first of all is a great chance to get that monkey off our back straightaway.

“But really it’s a horrendous start. “Hastings are among the favourites for the league and we have to go there on a Monday night, after work, when they could have just smashed Chipstead on the Saturday and be high on confidence.

“Then to Folkestone and they are always a strong side in this league, it’s a tough place to go.”

He added: “But if we get that home win, we could go to Hastings on a high – it is all ifs and buts.”

After a 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Wimbledon of League Two last weekend, Hams’ charges faced Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night, and he will be cutting the club’s trialists by up to 20 after the visit of Woking on Saturday (kick off 3pm).

Hams said: “I was pleased with how AFC Wimbledon approached the game, Neal Ardley the manager was there as well as his assistants, and that’s their full management team.

“It showed respect.

“We played well in the first half, but after 11 substitutions at half-time we were not quite so strong.

“Their late goal was a good goal too, I would have been disappointed had it come from a mistake.

“Neal said some nice things about the team, which is always good to hear.”

He added: “I would be happy to start the season with the guys who played, and it is up to the guys playing Carshalton on Tuesday to claim a stake for a place.”