Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith saw plenty of positives after his side slipped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Southern League Premier South outfit Gosport Borough in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

“It was really positive,” said Smith. “Gosport started with a real intensity, which was good for us to have to deal with, and then we grew into the game.

“We were excellent for half an hour. We looked in control of the game, which was good. To be able to do that against Step 3 opposition is a positive. There was some really good play. If we had better decision making we could have scored a couple of goals.

“We gifted Gosport the first goal. We're trying to get into the boys when to do things and when not to do things. They're playing risky stuff. We gave a simple ball away and they scored. That's the difference when you play teams from the level above. They're clinical. When they get those chances, they're scoring.

“Pre-season is not about the results for us, especially the first four games. It's about the process and getting people on board with what we do.

“In the second half we conceded a cheap goal from a corner, so there's stuff to work on. We can't give cheap goals away when three points are on the line. We’ve got to get it out of our system now. There's a long way to go in pre-season for us, and a lot of games to come.

“I’m really pleased with some of the performances and people being able to do and implement what we want to a really high level. It was a good performance but we need to tidy up those mistakes.”

This summer has been a rebuilding job for the Baggies, with a number of players leaving Westfield Lane. Smith is casting his eye over a number of trialists and has decisions to make as he looks to build his squad for the new campaign.

“There are some tough decisions to make because everyone is doing well and doing what we want,” said Smith. “If we could sign everyone and play everyone it would be ideal!

“We've got to make those decisions in the next week or so because I don't want to keep hold of people and stop them playing, but at the minute they all look like they could do the job we want them to do.”