PRIORY boss Graham Kemp admits his men will be facing a “different monster” when they renew hostilities with title rivals Blackfield & Langley.

The Wessex Premier big guns have been widely considered championship favourites since Ashley Vickers assembled a stellar squad at Gang Warily.

Third-placed Christchurch visit Blackfield tomorrow (3pm) with the hosts 15 points adrift of the league leaders but with five games in hand.

Priory will face the likes of ex-Saints midfielder Kevin Gibbens and prolific striker Alex Baldacchino in the potentially mouth-watering showdown.

Christchurch beat Blackfield 3-0 when they met in the league in August and Kemp insists his team has the quality to match them.

He told the Daily Echo: “They are serious contenders. The games in hand could become a problem if it goes on much longer but they have a big squad. They didn’t start the best but once they gelled, they became as good as anyone in the league. I think they will fancy their chances.

“They are playing catch-up but, quite rightly, they would expect to be called favourites.

“It took a little while and we were quite lucky to play them quite early. We played well and beat them 3-0 but I think they will be a different monster now. They will treat us with respect. On our day, we are as good as anyone.”

Manager Kemp also believes counterpart Vickers has spent wisely and pointed to the club’s run to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup as proof.

He added: “They have had a couple of good cup runs and have probably won back in prize money what they have spent.”

Priory: (from) Collins, Thompson, Taylor, Legg, Crutchley, Burden, Smith, Yelland, Osborne, Cook, Griffin, Cornick, Lloyd, Burt, Puckett, Frampton.

  •  Hamworthy United striker Lee Chudy is facing two weeks on the sidelines after aggravating a knee injury during the warm-up of Hammers’ aborted clash against New Milton in midweek.

Boss Simon Browne has Paddy Hester available, however.

Hammers: (from) Knights, Murray, Walker, Horlock, Staines, Carlile, Sturgess, Muller, Shovelton, Lanahan, Penny, Wyatt, Bradley, Hester.

  •  Poppies travel to Portchester in the Premier Division, while struggling New Milton visit Totton & Eling and Verwood face a tough test at home to second-placed Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Poppies: (from) Vaughan, Martin, Jackson, Ward, Batchelor, Clarke, Phillips, Phillipson-Masters, Warren Hales, Saadi, Lockyer, Teppett.

Linnets: (from) Hookway, Morris, Blackburn, Barge, Curtis, Fox, Thomson, Booker, De’ath, Molloy, Donaldson, Pidgley, Mullins, Ramos, Head, Groves.

Potters: (from) Lynch, Delaney, Dyer, Evans, Gajic, Haskell, Kelly, Murray, Smith, Satterley, Saxby, Webb, Connell, Jones.

  •  In Division One, Ringwood visit Petersfield Town.