LYDNEY Town’s new stand will be officially unveiled on Saturday when they welcome Hereford to Swan Road.

Town have had to install the new stand, a mixture of 50 seats and 50 standing spaces, in order to meet Hellenic League Premier Division standards and it will be presented by Bulls manager Peter Beadle ahead of the match.

“We’re expecting a huge crowd,” said club secretary Roger Sansom.

“Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout.”

On the pitch, manager Mark Lee expects the match to be a stern test for his charges.

“With all the history of Hereford and what they’ve gone through recently, and with winning the league and making the FA Vase final, it will be a big day for us,” Lee said.

“Everyone at the club is looking forward to it. It’s definitely going to be a test for our players.

“They won the league comfortably last year and they’ve got a good following. They’ve got a few players they’ve brought in and will cause us problems.”

Lee has been hard at work strengthening his own side, recruiting Ellwood’s Garry Wildin and Chris Addis..

“They’re players I’ve been chasing for a few years so it’s pleasing to finally have them,” Lee admitted.

“They’ve both played at this level and higher so they know what it’s all about.

“Chris is a ball-playing centre half who’s comfortable on the ball. He’ll help us play out form the back which is something we’ve been missing.

“Garry is an out and out forward which will give us some more firepower up top.”

Lee also offered updates on Jamie Addis and Pat Gibbs, who are returning after long injury lay-offs.

Addis returned to match action in the 5-1 friendly defeat to Bishop’s Cleeve last week, but Gibbs is not yet ready but training with his teammates once more.

Lydney’s pre-season schedule is littered with top opponents; as well as Hereford and Cleeve, they take on Pegasus and finish off their preparations with a home friendly against Bristol Manor Farm, who defeated them heavily in the GFA Challenge Trophy Final.

“I like to right the wrongs where I can!” Lee laughed.

“We wanted this pre-season to be a challenge and to be more competitive, and that’s why we’re playing the sides we are.”

• LYDNEY return to FA Cup action for the first time in five years this coming season, and have been given a home draw against Southampton-based side Team Solent.

Solent, who are attached to Southampton Solent University, finished seventh in the Wessex Premier Division and will travel to the Dean on Saturday August 6 for the extra preliminary round tie.

Lydney will face either Cadbury Heath or another Southampton side, Folland Sports, in the preliminary round if successful against Solent.