WITH just one defeat in their last 14 league games, Alresford Town are a team on the up.

To celebrate the fact, they are throwing their Arlebury Park doors open FREE of charge on Saturday (February 18, 3pm) for their Sydenhams Premier Division showdown with Hamworthy United.

The Magpies’ sparkling league form has put them seventh in the table, within sight of manager Richard Luffman’s personal target of a top-six finish.

Luffman, who moved across lock, stock and barrel from Otterbourne last summer with chairman Stuart Munro and several players, said: “The club’s target at the start of the season was top-eight, but I personally felt that top-six would be a really good season for us.

“Having a free gate on Saturday is to say thank you to those who come along to support us regularly and to invite new fans along to watch the resurgent Magpies.

“We came to the club with a three to five-year plan to compete with the likes Sholing and Moneyfields at the top end of the table and this year is our building block.

“We want to keep the majority of the squad together and push on.

“I think we’ve got a chance next year to be up around the top-three and put on a bit of a title push.”

Alresford tomorrow (Wednesday, 7.45pm) entertain Division One outfit Shaftesbury in a delayed Sydenhams Wessex League Cup third round tie.

The winners face a trip to Premier Division rivals Bashley in the quarter-finals.

“It’s our last chance of silverware this season,” said Luffman.