ANDY Tipp has taken a step back from the management seat at Totton & Eling.

Last season Tipp combined the roles of chairman and co-team manager, working alongside former player Lee Thorne.

But, with the club rebuilding after relegation from the Sydenhams Premier Division, he will devote more time to the chairman’s role, leaving Thorne to run team affairs assisted by ex-Saint Joe Tessem, senior player Steve Jenkin and Ricky Peckham.

Matt Froukhians, manager of Cadnam United last season, is running a new T&E reserve side in the Wyvern Combination League and has brought some of his players with him.

Also new in at Miller Park is Shawn Kitcher who, until recently, was under-18s boss at Southern League neighbours AFC Totton and is now running a T&E side in the Southampton Youth League.

Having registered their first Sydenhams One win of the season, 4-0 at home to Andover New Street last weekend, T&E face a huge test on Saturday against league leaders Portland United at Miller Park.

Steve Jenkin scored twice, supported by one apiece from Sam House and Conor Thorne against New Street.

“It was 0-0 at half-time, but then we got one and the gates opened,” said Tipp.

“The clean sheet was more important for me. Defensively we’ve been a bit naive and we’ve changed the back four several times already.”

With 35 league goals scored already, Portland will take some holding.

The Islanders, fresh up from the Dorset Premier League, are seven points clear at the top.

Portland boss Gary Bailey hailed as “devastating” his attacking quarter of Alex Godrey, Ed Bastick, Alex Halloran and Carl Clements following last weekend’s 8-0 blitz of East Cowes Vics.