Bashley boss Steve Riley has strengthened his squad by enticing utility man Mark Preston back to the Recreation Ground.

Preston, a Royal Air Force physical training instructor, made 22 appearances for the New Forest outfit during the 2005-06 campaign.

He’s been working out of the area since leaving the club, but is now based in Portsmouth.

So Riley, a former Royal Navy PTI, was quick to make use of his military contacts and ensure he got Preston’s signature.

Preston goes straight into Bashley’s squad for their home Zamaretto Premier Division clash against Banbury tomorrow (3pm).

Riley said: “Mark had a knee injury and has been sidelined for a while, but he’s fit again now.

“As well as previously playing for us he has plenty of experience with the RAF and Combined Services representative teams.

“Mark adds quality and strength to our squad and should slip straight back into the fold well.

“He’s a decent player who can do a job in midfield, wide or up front.”

Preston joins a Bash camp still on a high following their dramatic last-gasp 4-3 victory at Brackley in a midweek Premier Division thriller.

Mark Gamble, who’d been sidelined for six weeks until late-November with the recurrence of an ankle injury, grabbed Bash’s stoppage-time winner to complete a stunning hat-trick.

It was the first time a Bash player had notched three goals in a game since Gamble hit a hat-trick in a 4-0 league win at Bedford on April 3.

You have to go back to December 2008 for the previous time a Bash player other than Gamble plundered a trio, Dave Allen against US Portsmouth in the county cup.

Riley said Gamble’s hat-trick vindicated the softly, softly approach Bash had taken with striker over nursing him back to full fitness.

The boss added: “Three goals was just reward for Mark because it’s been a frustrating time for him while he recovered.

“Our physio John Edwards says Mark’s not been the best patient in the world, so I have to pat John on the back for getting Mark fit again.

“Mark scored the perfect hat-trick, one with his left foot, one with his right and one with his head. He’s buzzing, and who would have thought he’d been out for six weeks after he lasted the full 90 minutes.”

Chris Ferrett sits out Banbury’s visit through suspension, but Ryan Hill and Allen have completed bans.

Bash: (from) Elm, Smith, Oliver, Middleton, Whitley, Knowles, T Hill, Spinney, Gamble, Dominic Allen, Dave Allen, R Hill, Preston, Brookes, Digby, Riley, Prodomo.