Ambitious Eastleigh are heading right way

Eastleigh performed way below expectations in the National League last season, finishing 15th having been 9-1 third favourites, but their ambition to reach the Football League is undimmed and they can start the new season with a victory at Bromley.

There has been a sizeable investment from Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald over the last few years but he has made a few mistakes with his choice of managers.

Donald used four different bosses last season, including Ronnie Moore and Martin Allen, who have a host of experience of managing at a higher level.

However, none of them worked out and he has gone back to Richard Hill, the man responsible for leading Eastleigh into the fifth tier in 2013-14.

Hill has been given the funds to strengthen the squad and Eastleigh are looking strong in all areas.

Scoring goals was a problem last season but the attack looks to have been upgraded with Paul McCallum and Ben Williamson joining from Leyton Orient and Cambridge United.

While Eastleigh look stronger, Bromley have a couple of big holes to fill after key attackers Toby Sho-Silva and Blair Turgott signed for Dover and Stevenage.

They are at risk of getting dragged into a relegation scrap and may start with a defeat.

Aldershot look like being major promotion contenders and can make the perfect start by winning at newly-promoted Halifax.

A year into Gary Waddock's second spell in the hotseat, Aldershot have a far more settled squad and look ready to build on their strong finish to last season.

They lost one of their last 21 league fixtures last term and have added some Football League experience to a talented young squad with the recruitment of former Cheltenham midfielder James Rowe and the loan signing of Wycombe centre-back Will de Havilland.

The Shots are in for a good season and should finish a large points margin above Halifax, who are still part-time and have lost key defender Kevin Roberts to Wrexham.

Recommendations
Eastleigh
1pt 6-4 Betfair
Aldershot draw no bet
1pt 21-20 Hills