BASINGSTOKE Town return to action after more than two weeks without a game tomorrow night – and manager Jason Bristow says his side cannot afford to take Hampshire Senior Cup opponents GE Hamble lightly.

The south Hampshire side may play their football in the Wessex League but Bristow is expecting a difficult evening for his side, who last played a competitive match on November 17.

“Hamble are a decent side,” the Town boss said. “They have spent a lot of money and got some players in so it will be tough, as every game is. We have to make sure we approach it in the right way and get the win we are looking for.

“The game has come at a good time for us, giving us a competitive fixture before we get back to league action. It will be good to have this match to get us up to speed before the Tonbridge game and the players should be fresh and ready to go.”

The county cup traditionally sees managers rest first team regulars – but Bristow says that he is taking the competition seriously and has his sights set on an appearance in the final at St Mary’s.

“The Hampshire cup is a competition that we want to win and it takes on even greater significance now we are out of the other two cup competitions,” he said. “We said at the start of the season that we wanted to have a good run.

“It’s a nice competition, the final is played at a nice venue and it gives the supporters something to cheer at the end of the season.

“We will put out a strong side and look to progress. Wes Daly and Delano Sam-Yorke are suspended but other than that it will be our first team squad and we will be looking to win.

“We are also hoping that Ross Adams will feature as he works his way back from injury. It will be great to see him out on the pitch again.”

One player who will miss the game is midfielder Jide Ogunbote, who has returned to the club after his leg injury flared up again during a loan spell with Dulwich Hamlet.