Lymington & New Milton boss Graham Kemp would rather be in his own shoes than Eastleigh's this Christmas.

While the Linnets can spend a cosy festive week at home to Brockenhurst (Boxing Day, 11am) and Fareham Town (Saturday), Paul Doswell's league leaders face unglamorous and potentially tricky trips to factory sides Hamble ASSC and BAT.

Kemp, whose Foresters are four points behind Eastleigh with a game in hand, stressed: "I'm not taking either of our games for granted. Brock will be difficult for starters because they've just won two on the trot and all the lads know each other from Sunday football.

"I reckon half the Bournemouth Electric side play for them and the other half play for us, so it should be interesting!

"But the fact that Eastleigh's games are both away makes their programme more difficult I think. They're both local derbies and potential banana skins.

"Hamble are going really well and BAT won't give anyone an easy time on their own patch."

Lymington's squad is now minus fringe striker Lee Winsall, who has left Fawcett's Field in pursuit of regular first-team football with Christchurch. It's a decision that has not best pleased Kemp, who admitted: "It's annoying when you've brought a player through, included him on the first-team bench and tried to get him involved when you can.

"To have spent that much time on someone and see them walk away is irritating - particularly if they're stepping sideways or even backwards. The disappointing thing is that we're going to need people like Lee if we're going into the Southern League next season - players who don't earn a lot of money but are happy to go away to places like King's Lynn on a Tuesday night."

Kemp has been trying to tempt former Wimborne skipper Danny Robbins to Fawcett's Field but the defender, another who plays on Sundays for Bournemouth Electric, can't commit right now because of pressures of work.

Hamble ASSC manager Larry Clay has underlined Kemp's belief that Eastleigh will not enjoy their Boxing Day out.

Aside from the fact that Hamble's young side are unbeaten for over a month, their unwelcoming Follands Park playing surface resembles an overcooked Christmas pudding.

Clay forecast: "It's going to be a horrible game. Our pitch is really cut up and it's so wet at the moment that we can't get on there to roll it.

"We're praying for a dry day or two so that we can work on it, but if it stays as it is, it's going to be a great leveller."

Although he is not jealous of Eastleigh's aristocrats, Clay can't help but compare their spruced up Stoneham Lane facilities with the humble trappings of Hamble.

He said: "We could never match a side like Eastleigh because we don't have their facilities. We're a factory side and we can never get any higher than the Wessex League.

"Success for us is finishing as far up the table as we can and having a good cup run, but that's why Boxing Day's game is a great chance for us to judge ourselves against the very best.

"We could go out there like a Christmas turkey and get stuffed, but then again we might just sneak something.

"It would surprise a lot of people if we pulled off a win but, deep down, our lads believe we've got half a chance."

Hamble's only injury doubt surrounds goalkeeper Peter Harris who took a knock on the head against Christchurch on Saturday. Should he be feeling groggy, Nick O'Donnell is revved up to replace him.

Brockenhurst have compeleted the signing of former Bashley goalkeeper Ollie Rastall, who is back from a coaching spell in the United States.

Manager Pete Moore knows the 21-year-old Winchester lad well from his days as joint manager of Bashley and said: "I was always impressed with him there. When we played at Stevenage Borough in the FA Trophy he was absolutely outstanding and made some blinding saves from some quality players."

Rastall went straight into the Brock side for Saturday's 4-1 win at Blackfield & Langley, replacing Colin Randall.

Moore said: "Ollie has signed for us as number one. Colin's confidence has suffered recently and he's not enjoying it, so we've brought in Ollie as a fresh face."

Former Lymington & New Milton striker Richard Glenister is doubtful for the Boxing Day trip to his old club because of a thigh strain.