With Khano Smith now plying his trade at New England Revolution, it remains to be seen how Dandy Town Hornets cope this season in his absence.

Town were on a high fresh off August?s tour of Los Angeles but seemed to have a case of jet leg during last weekend?s practice match against First Division Southampton Rangers at the Oval.

Rangers edged Hornets 1-0, with star striker Carlos Smith watching from the bleachers.

?Khano is going to be a big miss but the players and coaching staff have been working extremely hard preparing for the season,? stated Western Stars Sports Club chief Cal Blankendal, speaking on behalf of the team for coach Devarr Boyles who was not unavailable.

?But whenever a player leaves a team for some reason another always seems to step their game up and overall I have no doubts in the coach?s ability. But every Dandy Town team is competitive and we have plenty of home-grown talent to choose from while Carlos will again take the lead. Carlos has already proven that he is a natural leader.?

Hornets, last season?s inaugural Champions Cup winners, officially kick of the 2005-06 season in a Martonmere Cup Group A clash against Boulevard at BAA Field on Saturday.

In addition to Smith?s departure, 2004 FA Cup David Lawler has also retired from top flight football. Lawler opted to join Town?s Commercial A outfit Dandy Town Roots instead.

Coming onboard is Michael Parsons from neighbouring Boulevard, Don Vickers and Lorenzo Simmons from Social Club along with Anthony Thomas from Commercial B Division side Devonshire All-Stars.

Another key addition to the Hornets ranks is the returning Scott Morton, himself a former Dandy Town player having come up through the club?s junior ranks.

The long-time Pembroke resident succeeded Kenny Thompson in 2000-01 as coach at nearby North Village, winning back-to-back Premier Division and FA Cup championships, two Charity Cups and a sole Friendship Trophy before calling it quits at the conclusion of the 2003-04 campaign.

?It?s great to have Scott back at Dandy Town to assist Devarr and overall last season I thought we were successful having to play under trying circumstances last season,? Blankendal added.

?I thought we did well to win the Champions Cup and displayed tremendous character.?

One such obstacle Hornets had to overcome last season was the untimely death of rising defender Randy Swan, tragically killed in a road traffic accident.

?That was certainly one of the biggest challenges we had to deal with last season,? Blankendal admitted.

Meanwhile, Town ? who last won the Martonmere Cup in 1999-00 ? can eliminate Blazers with a win on Saturday night at BAA Field.

Overall, Hornets have clinched the traditional early-season competition four times, appearing in a total of six finals including last season?s.

Village defeated Town 3-2 after extra time in last year?s final held at Somerset Cricket Club to become the first Premier Division club to win back-to-back Martonmere Cup on three separate occasions. The Reds have won the showpiece a record eight times in the competition?s 32-year history.

Devonshire Colts were in the inaugural winners in 1972-73, while Hornets won a first Martonmere title in 1987 ? the very next season after winning a first-ever FA Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy.