Combined Counties Premier Division side Molesey continue their pre-season preparations on Saturday with the short trip to Walton Casuals in the second Mick Burgess Memorial Trophy.

Having comfortably seen off Haywards Heath Town and Bedfont Green in their opening pre-season fixtures, the Moles will expect a sterner test from a club hoping to improve on last season's 17th place finish in the Ryman League Division One South.

The game is in memory to former Elmbridge Mayor Mick Burgess, who passed away suddenly in February 2008. 

Mr Burgess had links to both clubs, having played for and managed the Moles, as well as introducing Casuals to their main sponsor and providing advise and assistance in the club’s early days.

Looking ahead to the fixture, Moles boss Steve Webb commented: "Obviously we are looking forward to this game as it gives everyone a chance to show their respect for Mick Burgess, someone who has been very instrumental in both clubs fortunes as well as being greatly involved in many local issues.

"Added to that is the chance for us to test ourselves against a side who will look to play football like us, so overall it should be an enjoyable and worthwhile afternoon.

"We do keep close contact with the people at Casuals, so that makes the game one of those that we will always look forward to. On a competitive note, they did win it last season, so we are keen to take the trophy back to our place for the next year."

Webb is expected to field former Moles Jake Jenkins, Mark Longley and Luke Edgehill as he looks to build a squad capable of mounting a promotion charge following last seasons mid table finish.

Webb added: "At the time of writing we have had an encouraging start to our pre-season, firstly with the good response from last year's squad, plus two good wins against Haywards Heath (3-1) and then Bedfont Green (5-1).

"We are now stepping up the intensity, with fixtures such as this one, Godalming Town and Ashford Town (Middx) to come in our schedule, whilst the rest are all without doubt going to be played at a high tempo, which is something we need if we are to get off to a good start in our League campaign, plus the FA Cup the week after.

"We obviously want to be back playing these sides on a regular basis, so it really is a game that should stir the emotions and we hope to be really up for it.

"There is currently a very good atmosphere in our squad, with the new lads gelling with the existing ones, and we know this will go a long way to helping us achieve our ultimate goal."

Casuals won the inaugural fixture between the two sides on penalties last summer, and went on to claim the double over the Moles by knocking them out of the FA Cup Preliminary Round two weeks later.

Kick off is at 3pm at Casuals’ Franklin Road ground, next to Elmbridge Leisure Centre.  All proceeds from the game will go to Alzheimer’s and Bliss, two charities supported by Mr Burgess.

Having once again made use of Weston Green’s facilities in Thames Ditton for a large chunk of their pre-season preparations, the Moles return to Walton Road on Saturday 25th July to host local rivals Walton & Hersham, before concluding their close-season against Ashford Middx, on Tuesday 4th August.