BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow admits that it will be even harder to compete near the top of National League South this season – but it’s a challenge that he and his players are relishing.

The Dragons finished third last season and have been classed as fifth favourites (10-1) to win the title this time around.

But finishing in the a top five spot would be an even bigger achievement for Town in the current climate.

Bristow has managed to hold on to pretty much all of the squad that served him so well last season, but several clubs, including Ebbsfleet, who Town face in their opening game of the season on Saturday, have splashed the cash over the summer.

“We always look to improve year on year and will have to do that again in order to get anywhere near what we achieved last season because it’s one of the strongest leagues that I have experienced,” Bristow said. “It’s a big ask, but it’s a challenge we are relishing and the players are determined to step up to the mark.

“It’s important that we challenge at the right end of the table again and put ourselves in a good position, like we did last season. If we could be in there challenging for a place in the top five, that would be a huge achievement.”

Bristow says that the pressure will be on title favourites Ebbsfleet during Saturday’s season-opener at Stonebridge Road (3pm).

Town travel to Kent to take on an Ebbsfleet side who are 7-2 favourites to win the league after adding to an already impressive squad over the course of the summer.

Wherever you look, big-spending Ebbsfleet are blessed with an abundance of excellent players.

Centre-back Craig Braham-Barrett left League Two Cheltenham Town to sign for the Kent club over the summer, bolstering their defence.

Two of the best midfielders in last year’s National League South, Hemel Hempstead’s Jordan Parkes and Whitehawk’s John-Paul Kissock, have also joined, with ex-Newport man Robbie Willmott another player leaving a Football League club to sign for Daryl McMahon.

To top things off, they have an embarrassment of riches in attack. Ex-Wimbledon and Gillingham striker Danny Kedwell is rumoured to be the highest-earning player in the history of the division, while former Ipswich forward Danny Haynes signed over the summer.

Facing such an impressive side on their own patch on the opening day of the season is bound to be a daunting prospect for Basingstoke, but it’s a game that Town boss Bristow says his side are looking forward to.

“Ebbsfleet are quite clear favourites for the title and they are at home, so we couldn’t have asked for a harder opening game,” he said. “There will be a lot of expectation on their shoulders though, so it could be a good situation for us.

“The pressure is on them, but it’s a chance for us to show that we are capable of matching them.

“It’s a good time to play them because it’s the start of the season and anything can happen, so it’s something we are looking forward to.

“Regardless of the result, it’s important that we do not get too carried away because it’s just one game and there are a lot more coming up soon.”

The games certainly do come thick and fast during the opening month of the season.

Just three days after their trip to Ebbsfleet, Town get their home campaign under way with a visit from Bath City (7.45pm), while they play a total of seven games in 24 days, between Saturday and the end of August.

This run of fixtures could stretch Basingstoke’s squad and Bristow remains on the look-out for potential reinforcements.

“It’s really important that we do not rest on our laurels, but there is no point bringing in players who are happy to sit on the bench,” Bristow added.

“We need players who will challenge for a starting berth.”

Winger Harrison Gilkes could sign a short-term deal before Saturday’s game but the son of assistant manager, Michael Gilkes, still has his heart set on a return to full-time football.

Central defenders David Ray and Jay Gasson are expected to be fit to play at Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

Promising young striker George Hallahan will miss the start of the campaign after picking up an injury in pre-season.

Visit basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport on Saturday afternoon for live text coverage of Town’s opening-day trip to Ebbsfleet.