FORMER Eastleigh goalkeeper Lewis Noice has left Winchester City to play in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

Noice, who gained National League experience during his time at the Silverlake, has joined AFC Portchester where former City boss Ian Saunders is on the management team.

His departure from Winchester coincides with the arrival of experienced former Fleet Town 'keeper Ryan Pryce to the newly-named Simplyhealth City Ground.

Citizens boss Craig Davis has given Noice's move his blessing, but admitted: “I wanted Lewis to battle it out with Ryan Pryce for the No1 shirt.

“Ryan was as good a ’keeper as there was in the Central Division with Fleet last season and there was a preconceived idea that he would automatically be Winchester’s No1. But that wasn’t the case. He came here expecting to battle for the shirt.”

Gosport Borough will be the visitors when Winchester kick off their pre-season friendly campaign on Friday evening (July 7, 7.45pm).

Borough are now just one division above the Citizens in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier following relegation from the National League South.

Both clubs have undergone squad rebuilding during the summer and Davis – a former Borough player – said: “It will be interesting to see what Gosport look like.

“They’re a league above us, so it’s going to be a tough test.”

For Winchester fans, it will be a chance to get a first glimpse of Davis’s new-look line-up, which includes 20-year-old summer strike arrival Oli Bailey, himself a former Gosport man.

Ex-Fleet players Rob Carr, Ben ‘Chalky’ White, Simba Mlambo, Dan Williamson, Brett Stanley and Pryce are also in line for their City debuts, along with young winger Jack Ormiston, snapped up from Whitchurch United.

Another former Fleet man, centre-back Josh Harfield, is currently on holiday, but supporters will be chuffed to welcome back fellow defender Rob Flooks, who has returned to the Citizens' ranks from Alresford Town.

Davis has another potential signing “bubbling under”, but said: “We’re good for numbers and for quality.

“The first training session went well and spirit’s really good.

“We’ve had a working party making sure the ground is spick and span. It’s a happy place to be.”

Simplyhealth, formerly Denplan, have agreed a new two-year sponsorship deal with the club.

Delighted director of football Dave Malone said: “Denplan have been significant sponsors of WCFC since 2003, which is probably one of the longest continuous sponsorships in non-League football. We are eternally thankful for their support.”

Portchester new boy Noice, meanwhile, has been joined at Wicor Rec by fellow summer arrival Marco Giambelardini.

A skilful forward, ex-Selsey man Giambelardini netted 33 goals in 32 outings for Bosham last term.