ST NEOTS Town manager Steve Kuhne is gearing up for a huge challenge as his side prepares to take on league side Boston United in a friendly on Friday. Kuhne has called on his former boss Steve Evans, now Boston manager, to secure the high-profile fixture

ST NEOTS Town manager Steve Kuhne is gearing up for a huge challenge as his side prepares to take on league side Boston United in a friendly on Friday.

Kuhne has called on his former boss Steve Evans, now Boston manager, to secure the high-profile fixture.

The Town boss said: "I played for Steve eight years ago when he was manager at Stamford, so that helped in getting them to come down for the game.

"They'll bring a mixture of reserve and first team squad players but they're all professionals and, to be honest, they'll be a level above our boys but it'll be a good experience for them."

Kuhne said he had been pleased with pre-season training, reporting some good turnouts.

He said: "I haven't had to make too many changes with the way we finished last season. We've lost three players from last season but we'll also be signing three or four so it'll be fairly stable."

Kuhne has already captured centre-half Ross Sommers from Huntingdon and admits he is optimistic ahead of the new campaign.

"Last season I'd just arrived and we had so many new players it took them all time to bed in.

"This time round hopefully we won't have that blip at the start of the season and we can really go for it.

"Wellingborough have come up from the league below and are looking strong. They've been getting very good gates and have signed some quality players but we have to be aiming to be right up there at the top of the league."

St Neots finished fourth last season in the United Counties League Premier Division.

The new season is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, August 19.

The Boston United match kicks off at 7.30pm at St Neots' Rowley Park ground. Admission is £2 for adults and free for juniors.