TIM Sills believes Hammers will face a tough trip to Bideford in their debut Southern League game – on the roads and on the pitch!

Hamworthy United travel to Devon to face established Southern League outfit Bideford, a side Sills is familiar with after being based in the county whilst at Torquay United.

The Gulls frequently play the Robins in pre-season encounters, meaning former Torquay and Stevenage striker Sills is well aware of the club.

He is also aware of the traffic Hammers may face on their way west, telling the Daily Echo: “Summer holidays away in Bideford are probably never the best trip by all accounts.

“They've spent a bit of money over the summer, they've added some really good additions to their squad so they'll be ambitious this year.

“Obviously last year they were competing with Barnstaple who were in the same league.

“Barnstaple went down so they'll have had their pick a little bit this year, so it'll be a tough one.

“I’ve played there a few times in my Torquay days and it's a tough place to go, so it will be a test.”

Hammers started their season with victory in the Wessex League curtain raiser, the Wessex League Shield, two weeks ago, and have since followed that 2-0 win over Shaftesbury by cruising through the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 hammering of Bradford Town.

Conor Cocklin will certainly miss the trip to Devon after a further setback with his injury. The battling defender is set to have a scan to determine the exact issue.

Sills continued: “Once we get a scan we'll hopefully be in a position to know exactly where we are with his rehab, in terms of getting him back fit.

“He's a massive player for us, he’s been crucial for me over the last two and a half years so if we can get him back ASAP the, that's great.

“We’ve not really had a full squad all pre-season for any particular game so it's been a bit frustrating in that respect, but everyone's got some good minutes in, everyone's played their part in pre-season and let's say we go into it looking strong.”