NEW-LOOK Reading City are playing down the fact they are being tipped to play a big role in the Hellenic League title race at their first attempt.

Joint-manager Andy Findlay said: “We are flattered to be considered as challengers, but realistically we are looking to lay the foundations this season to build a sustainable non-league club Reading can be proud of.

“We know it’s going to be a tough season, but we are all looking forward to it. I love a challenge.”

Findlay and Rob Creech are hoping to get off to good start when City open their Premier Division campaign on Saturday with a visit to promoted Shrivenham, who were runners-up in Division One West last season.

Their first home game is on Monday evening (7.45pm) when they host Abingdon United at Rivermoor Stadium.

As it is the start of a new era in non-league football in the town, City are hoping for a decent-sized crowd, especially as United are usually one of the best-supported teams in the division.

They are still adding to their new-look squad, with forward Luke Hastings their latest signing.

City were beaten 3-1 at Kintbury Rangers in a friendly last Saturday, the game being re-arranged at short notice after Wraysbury had cried off. They trailed 2-0 at half time.

The club have been drawn at home to Flackwell Heath in the Bluefin Sports Cup, which means a return to Scours Lane for former Highmoor Ibis player-manager Marcus Richardson and coach Fabian Coultress.

There will be two ties at Rivermoor Stadium as Woodley United are paired with Division One West side Cirencester Town Development.

Relegated Woodley, with a much-changed side from last season, get their Division One East campaign underway this Saturday with a visit to Abingdon Town, who finished seventh in Division Two East last term.

This week they added Matty Coddington to their list of new signings.

United have been drawn in the same group as Wokingham & Emmbrook, AFC Aldermaston and Holport in the new-look Hellenic League Division One Subsidiary Cup.

Striker Richard Bennett has switched from Woodley to Aldermaston, whose other new signings include Brett Rann, Jamel Forde-Small, Victor Sesay and Ashley East, the former Wokingham & Emmbrook goalkeeper.

Aldermaston were beaten 4-0 by Newbury in a friendly on Tuesday with Danny Langford netting two of the goals.