SYLVANS’ new boss Joel Avery admits he could not face a tougher baptism to the new league season. The Westerners face an intriguing opening day clash tomorrow afternoon away to defending champions St Martin’s.

And their new boss said he would be happy to take a draw.

‘They look quite organised and quite hard to break down,’ Avery said of Saints’ midweek Martinez-winning performance.

‘I will be happy to come away with a draw,’ he said. ‘We can certainly get a result. I’m trying different things and it’s a question of whether the players can respond to it.’

Sylvans’ chances will be boosted by the return to first team football of the Nobes brothers, captain John and striker Paul.

‘John is a born leader and Paul can change a game on his own which is a huge plus,’ said Avery.

Matt Drillot, acquired from Rovers in the summer, is likely to start the match. Matt Le Cras, Tony Vance and Adie Exall are all absent.

Saints miss Tom Allen from Wednesday night’s squad, but Jan Renouf, a former team mate of Avery’s at Sylvans, could be back.

‘We are hoping to build on from everything that has happened so far. If we can get off with three points and can avoid defeat we will be well pleased,’ said coach Colin Fallaize.

‘If the right performance brings us the right result we will be quids-in but this year we want the right performance and to see everything we are working on come to fruition.’

Avery said he wanted to bring success back to St Peter’s.

‘The last couple of seasons we have become accustomed to losing and have accepted defeat but now we have to get back to our winning mentality.’

Fallaize said he was wary of the quality within the Sylvans side.

‘I think they are going to be up for it but it’s whether they are up for a sprint or a marathon,’ he said.