BASINGSTOKE TOWN open their pre-season home campaign with a mouth watering clash with Hampshire rivals Eastleigh on Tuesday evening (7.45pm).

The visitors look likely to be among the pace setters in the National League this season and the Spitfires will certainly be a tough nut to crack for the Dragons.

However, at this point of the friendly campaign it is all about performances and you can be sure with Town's young squad they will give it a go, after the Hampshire Senior Cup winners opened their pre-season with an impressive 5-1 victory at Alton.

Former Basingstoke striker Craig McAllister is expected to be part of a very strong visiting squad.

Basingstoke boss Terry Brown said: "Eastleigh is the first of three very good home friendlies and I hope we get some good crowds at the ground to cheer the team.

"We have a very exciting young team and of course on paper we should lose the game, but this is big test for us and we will give it our best shot. I am going to put out a strong team."

Admission to the Hampshire derby game on Tuesday night is adults £5, concessions £2.50 and under-16s go free.

After the visit of Eastleigh, Crystal Palace under-23s visit the Camrose on Saturday July 15 (3pm) and National League side Woking three days later.

On the pitch the Hampshire Senior Cup winners returned to action with a great 5-1 win at Alton in their first pre-season game on Tuesday evening.

Seven of the squad which won at St Mary's were involved in the game which saw the visitors race to a 5-0 lead by the break.

Ashleigh Artwell and Sam Smart both helped themselves to two goals each and the victory was a great way to kick-off the pre-season.

Talking about the win at Alton, Town boss Terry Brown said: "I was very pleased with what I sure and we played two difference teams for each half, which gave me a chance to look at some trialists and academy players.

"For sure this season some of the academy boys will be involved in the first team."

The squad included a couple of new faces in centre half Dan Bayliss and goalkeeper Liam Beech.

Bayliss played last season for Flackwell Heath in the Hellenic League Premier Division and was the club's players' player.

The teenager was also a member of the England Schools side.

Brown said: "I have seen him play for both Flackwell and England and looks a very good young talent."

Goalie Beech signed for Walton and Hersham in the Isthmian League in January and the 18-year-old went onto to establish himself as their number one.

Brown said: "He is a good young goalie who did well for us in his first game."

Tomorrow night, Town travel to Team Solent, ahead of their first home game against Eastleigh on Tuesday night.

Star striker Aaron Jarvis who missed Tuesday game at Alton is expected to be back for the Eastleigh game which is sure to even more firepower to the line-up.