BASINGSTOKE Town’s manager Dan Brownlie has had an exciting start to his managerial career at the club, after taking over after the Dragons had not won once in their first nine matches, writes DAN LINTERN.

The boss has managed to turn the side around, winning four of his six games in charge, including thrilling comebacks against North Leigh and Highworth Town.

Despite the 1-0 loss to Melksham Town in the FA Trophy last weekend, Brownlie was positive, commenting on his start to the season saying: “It’s been great, I know the club well after being here under other managers and I couldn’t ask more from the players or the fans.”

He carried on, mentioning new signing Aaron Kuhl and said: “I have brought in one player and the rest of the team have still stuck by me and my decisions.”

Following Brownlie’s takeover Basingstoke now find themselves 15th in the table eight points shy of a play-off position but only two ahead of the relegation zone.

When asked about the possibility of reaching a play-off place Brownlie said: “I don’t know, the ambition is just to try and be better. Come Christmas it can all change and you could see lower teams change managers and climb up the table. We won’t set any play-off targets yet, so we will just focus on playing better and getting results.”

After last Saturday’s FA Trophy exit, the Town manager will be look to getting back to winning ways when his side make the trip to Somerset to take on Paulton Rovers this weekend in the Southern League Division One South.

Paulton have lit up the league with their goals, being the highest scorers with 26 goals to their name so far during this campaign.

Rovers are currently sitting comfortably in a play-off position in third, just one win away from league leaders Frome Town, but they do have two games in hand.

They are sure to want to capitalise on their latest home game and climb higher up the ladder.

This will be a tough test for Basingstoke the gaffer recognises saying: “It will be a tough test against a high-flying team and the league table doesn’t lie.

“After the disappointment on Saturday I will look for a reaction from the players.”

Brownlie added: “This game will be a perfect indicator of where we are as a team as we will be up against it and might not see much of the ball but we will look for the win”.

Basingstoke chances of winning this game have been boosted by the news Harrison Cliff, Ben Wright, Reece Rusher should be back from injury.

Ryan Suckling also returns to the squad after suspension, while midfielder D’Andre Brown is still recovering from the ankle injury he picked up against Melksham in the league.

Saturday game kicks off at 12:30pm due to firework display at the ground in the evening.