AFTER a string of disastrous league results new manager Steve White will hope to kick-start the Bluebirds poor season with a prolonged cup run.

On Saturday Chippenham Town welcome Ryman League Premier Division side Basingstoke Town to Hardenhuish Park for the FA Trophy second round clash.

Basingstoke Town has struggled with inconsistency this season and is currently languishing just below mid-table, but defeated Chippenham 4-1 this year in a pre-season friendly.

They suffered their worst defeat of the season two weeks ago when they collapsed to Bedford Town 5-2 after taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.

But their manager Ernie Howe has made some impressive new signings in a complete overhaul of his team's midfield.

Matt Warner has joined the club from Wycombe Wanderers, Ben Surey is on loan from Crystal Palace and goal scoring sensation Ollie Burgess, who has struck three times in four games, is on the books after he was released from Northampton.

The midfield trio have only played three games together, but the signs are ominous if they choose Saturday as the time to gel.

An injury-hit Chippenham town will also have to contend with Basingstoke's prolific striker Craig Mcallister who scored 35 goals last season, and has just hit a hot vein of form with three in two games.

Caretaker manager Adie Mings, who played for Basingstoke in 2000/01, hands over the managerial reins to Steve White after stepping in after the departure of Tommy Saunders.

The side sank to three successive defeats, but he thanked the fans, players and the board for their support during his brief tenure, and said he was looking forward to concentrating on playing football again.

"It's been hard, and a massive learning curve for me," he said. "And anyone who thinks it's easy should come and have a chat with me.

"I was asked to help out the club in a difficult situation and provide some stability while people applied for the job.

"I applied for the myself and was interviewed, but the board felt I still have a lot to offer on the pitch and want me to concentrate on my performances.

"I think it's a good decision by the board because I feel I can play at this level for a little longer.

"It's still something I would like to do in the future because I have got a taste for it now."

Mings said Basingstoke has a good, strong team with excellent strikers and he is expecting a tough match.

But Chippenham's will be forced to rely on their squad to provide cover for their lengthy injury list.

Centre-half Colin Towler is out for a fortnight with an ankle ligament injury while midfielder Mark Badman is undergoing surgery for a hernia. Right back Simon Charity has just had a scan on a knee injury and is expected to be out of action for three weeks.

Mings hopes midfielder Ellis Wilmott will be back in time for the game this weekend after suffering a knee injury, but left-wing Steve Brown, who broke his leg, is not expected back until the New Year.

Central midfielder Keith O'Hallorhan is out for more than a month with a hamstring injury, but goalkeeper Pat Mountain is expected to make a return to the team soon.

Mark Harrington will return from suspension next week.