KEVIN Jackson hasn’t exactly had an easy ride since taking over as head coach of Folland Sports.

Jackson, appointed in the wake of manager Jay Keating’s surprise sacking last week, has had to virtually rebuild from scratch.

His first game in charge, on the night of Keating’s sacking, ended in a 6-0 defeat to Merley Cobham Sports and last Saturday Follands lost 7-0 to a strong Poole Town outfit at Tatnam.

The Planemakers had been due to host a Gosport Borough XI on Monday but floodlight problems forced them to cancel.

“We trained under dim light, which was the first session we’d had,” said Jackson.

“Everything happened so quickly last Tuesday (July 28) when Jay went and most of the players went with him.”

Jackson, though, hasn’t let the grass grow under his feet.

The spine of his new side contains ex-Alresford goalkeeper Jarid Hixon, who will captain the team, and former Eastleigh and Brockenhurst centre-back Joe Chamberlain who will be partnered by ex-AFC Bournemouth youngster Owen Bush in the heart of defence.

Jamie Blackburn, formerly of AFC Totton, will play right-back in Friday's (7.45pm) Sydenhams Premier curtain raiser against Bemerton Heath at Follands Park and the Planemakers have a young left-back in Ryan Giles.

Midfield-wise, Jackson has signed another ex-Cherries youngster Kieron Parrett and welcomed back ex-Sholing reserves man Serge Fon.

Up front the boss believes he has an ace up his sleeve in former Ghana international Pena, who is just back from Portugal.

 Remaining from Keating's group are attacking duo David Jerrard and Rodney Gwenzi.

 The livewire Gwenzi is described as a “real talented boy” by the boss.

 “He reminds me of (ex-Saint) Nathan Dyer who was in the same team as my son,” said Jackson. “He even looks like Nathan.

 “Rodney came along and didn’t think he was going to get in, but he’s learned a lot from what I’ve told him.”