GRAHAM Kemp faces a baptism of fire as new Bemerton Heath Harlequins manager tonight – away to Sydenhams Premier Division leaders Petersfield Town.

Ian Chalk brought the curtain down on eight seasons in charge at Western Way with a 2-1 victory over basement boys Totton & Eling on Saturday, courtesy of Jack Eves and Graham Mankin.

He leaves Kemp with the gargantuan task of trying to make it six straight league wins for the Harlequins against a Petersfield side who have lost only twice in the league all season. “Yeah, thanks for that, Chalky!” laughed Kemp.

“He goes out with Totton & Eling at home and now I’ve got Petersfield away, Newport IoW away and Christchurch away!

“Not only that, we’ve lost the skipper Jack Slade, who is out for three or four weeks with a knee cartilage problem, and Josh Hazell’s got a calf injury.”

Kemp, who has taken a break from football since his fourth-month stint at Dorchester Town ended in January, is linking up again with well-respected coach Jim Totczyk, who worked alongside him at Christchurch and Winchester City.

He has already drafted in one new signing, frontman Dom Allen from another of his old clubs Hamworthy United, but stressed that there will be no drastic changes between now and the end of the season.

“I wanted to get one or two in because Chalky’s been working with a small squad and we’ve got a couple of injuries,” he said. “I also want to look at the reserves and the youngsters to see what’s there, but I won’t rock the boat and change things too much. It’s only fair the squad sticks together for the rest of the season.

“I’m in conversation with two or three local lads to come back next year and it sounds promising.

“I’m confident that if they turn up for pre-season they won’t be leaving again because Jim’s sessions are exceptional.”