ANDY Bye believes Hamworthy United will rise from the ashes of Phil Simkin’s acrimonious departure, but is more than willing to pile extra misery on the County Ground outfit tomorrow.

Bye’s New Milton and the managerless Hammers meet tomorrow at the County Ground (3pm) in what has been billed as the Wessex Premier Division’s earliest ever relegation six-pointer.

Basement boys Linnets are yet to register a win in the league, while Hamworthy’s season of woe went from bad to worse when they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat against Laverstock and Ford on Wednesday night.

Bye said: “You wouldn’t have put us or Hamworthy down there at the start of the season, but we are there.

“We’ve been playing well enough, but it’s an important game for both sides. We have got to make sure we get some kind of result at Hamworthy.

“It’s hard to know what the mood is in their camp, but we’ve got to get over this psychological barrier of being constantly disappointed.

“I still think they are a decent side and they’ll pick up. I’m surprised at what happened down there and considering what Phil Simkin did there, I don’t really know what people expect.

“They haven’t had a great start, but they will come good.”

Suhael Odeh could have to return to AFC Totton ahead of tomorrow’s contest, but otherwise Bye has a full squad to choose from.

Nobody from Hamworthy United was available to supply team news.

New Milton: (from) Webb, Chengadu, Clarke, Byers, Coleman, Burt, Kenna, Quirk, Walker, Mead, Lilley, Odeh, Forbes-Broome, L Lock, Small, Booker.

Bashley will be looking to continue their fine league form at home to Didcot in the Zamaretto Premier Division tomorrow (3pm).

Steve Riley’s men have notched four wins from their opening eight matches, while tomorrow’s visitors to the Recreation Ground have managed just five points so far this term.

Matt Parnell (knee) faces a late fitness test, while Gary Middleton is suspended.

Bashley: (from) Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Castle, Parnell, Knowles, Kelly, Mason, Allen, Gamble, Knight, Keeler, Prodomo, Maxwell, Tarr, McCarthy.