HOLSWORTHY manager Kevin Squire wants his side to try and ‘emulate last year’ as they prepare for the start of the 2026/27 South West Peninsula League Premier West campaign.

The Magpies finished seventh in his first season in the role since replacing Ryan Hall, as well as reaching the Devon St Luke’s Bowl final for the first time where they were beaten 3-1 by SWPL Premier East champions Bovey Tracey at Coach Road in Newton Abbot.

However, Holsworthy have managed to keep the core of their team together with the likes of goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick, skipper Jedd Peschke and midfielder Jay Thomas committing for another year.

Warm-up tests have been a mixed bag with defeats to Bideford and one-league lower Kilkhampton, but Squire is excited for the competitive games to start.

He said: “Pre-season has been a bit bitty to be honest for various reasons. My pre-season schedule was put into disarray a bit by pitch work needing to be done at our ground, but we’ve adapted and rolled with it.

“We’ve been a bit up and down with results and performances and availability has been a bit patchy which is usually the case at this time of year, but we’re gradually getting there and looking forward to the start of the season.

“The whole of last year’s squad has been retained with the exception of midfielder Toby Martyn and defender Sam Hill.

“Toby has relocated to Exeter for work, so it’d be a bit far for him and he’s gone to Honiton, while Sam has joined Callington.

“We’ve signed three players so far in winger Josh Pearce and defender Lucas Elston, both from Barnstaple, while Jeff Anglia has returned to the club after a couple of years from Alphington. As always we’ll continue to work with our means but I’m happy with what I’ve got.”

Squire turned out for several of North Devon’s big clubs including Bideford, Barnstaple Town and Ilfracombe Town, often at Southern League level, but feels the Magpies are heading in the right direction.

He said: “I’m not one to usually celebrate finishing seventh and reaching a cup final, but with the resources we have compared to a lot of other clubs and our geographical location, last year was quite good.

“The aim is to try and emulate that and if we can finish a little bit higher and again reach the latter stages of one of the cup competitions, let’s see where that takes us. We’ll be going into every game with a positive mindset and trying to win it, so we’ll see how we get on.”

Holsworthy start with a visit from AFC St Austell who, after being withdrawn from the Western League last term, have been placed back in the SWPL and have put together much of the squad that won promotion back in the 2023/24 season.

Squire admits more incomings could be on the cards, adding: “As a manager you’re always looking to improve the squad where possible, so we’ll see what happens with that. It’s great that the pitch should be better and we’re looking forward to Saturday and starting with a home game against what will be a very strong side. We’re looking forward to testing ourselves and, hopefully, we can start the season in a positive manner.”