TAUNTON Blackbrook manager Colin Merrick is looking forward to the challenge of playing at a higher standard.

His side enjoyed a successful 2006-7, winning promotion to the Somerset County League's Premier Division and reaching the final of the Premier/Division One Cup, where they were beaten 1-0 by Nailsea Utd.

Despite a stop-start pre-season and losing a few players, Merrick believes his side will hold their own in the top flight.

He said: "We've had a bit of a mixed pre-season with a couple of players moving on and others not available.

"But that's given some of the youngsters a chance to impress and I'm confident a lot of them are good enough for this level.

"We know it's going to be tough, but we came across a few Premier Division sides last season and more than held our own.

"We won promotion even though we had to field patched up sides a lot of the time, due to injuries and unavailability, so if we can keep everyone fit we should do ok."

Adam Manley and Alex Stephens have left to play for fellow Premier side Ilminster but Merrick has recruited midfielder Darren Rice from Staplegrove.

Rice, last season's top scorer Ali Pounde, Martin White and Dan Pepperall have featured for Taunton Town in pre-season due to the strenghthening link between the sides. But not all are expected to be regulars in Taunton's squad this season.

Blackbrook entertain Tunley Athletic in their opening game at Wordsworth Drive on Saturday.