Falmouth Town Reserves boss Paul Murray says he is looking forward to the start of the new Jolly's Combination League season, but says his side will be hard pushed to retain their Championship crown.

Falmouth, who start their season against Troon on Saturday, narrowly beat Penryn Athletic Reserves to the title last season.

However, Penryn Athletic have recently strengthened their side by signing Steve and Scott Kellow from Falmouth Athletic DC.

Murray knows Penryn, and a few other sides, will prove tough to beat this season.

"We would like to defend our title," he said. "The competition is going to be tough though from the likes of St Day, Illogan and Penryn Athletic. Also the newly-promoted sides, Goonhavern and Ludgvan, have some good players so they are going to be difficult. Added to that we have got the problem that everybody is looking to knock us of our perch, as champions, so it won’t be easy."

Falmouth Town Reserves have had a reasonably successful pre-season. They lost 3-0 to Helston Athletic and St Blazey, but both those sides play in leagues above Murray's teams.

Murray wasn't too despondent about those results.

"I thought the scorelines flattered them a little," said Murray. "They had better fitness levels than us, but in terms of footballing ability, I felt we matched them. We had a good 7-0 win against Constantine on a difficult pitch recently, but in pre-season it is not about the result it is about getting people fitter and trying out a few different ideas. I feel that since the St Blazey game in July up to the Culdrose game last week our fitness has improved massively. We have also managed to iron out a few things we have been doing wrong."

Falmouth Town have lost three players from their reserve side in the summer.

Goalkeeper Ben Manley has signed for St Blazey, while Laurie Magowan has retired and Kevin Niblock has returned to Ireland.
However, Murray has brought in Bryan Scoffin, from Hayle, to replace Manley. Penryn striker Jason Roberts has also joined along with Aiden Shaw.

The fixtures for tomorrow's Jolly's Combination League games are as follows:

Goonhavern v Mullion

Illogan v Pendeen

Newquay v Fal Ath

Perranwell v Hayle

St Agnes v Ludgvan

St Ives v St Day

St Just v Penryn

Troon v Falmouth Town

Wendron v Holman SC