MARLOW will begin their season without the services of Yashwa Romeo after the striker signed for Burnham.

Romeo was one of the Southern League's top-scorers two seasons ago but Marlow's management will have to cope without him.

Meanwhile, Marlow began their pre-season with a 2-0 over Hellenic Premier League side Wantage thanks to second-half goals by Lewis Craker and James Pritchard.

Assistant manager Graham Bressington took charge of the team, with manager Kevin Stone away on holiday, and he was impressed with the showing.

He said: "It was a good first pre-season game. It was a good game and played with the right spirit.

"But it's not about results in pre-season. Some people expect to win all of their pre-season games but I'm not of that mentality.

"I want to win every game but the performance is more important than the result."

Marlow will be relying on youngsters coming through this year.

Bressington said: "We're still looking for players but we've had some of the youngsters come in.

"The main thing for clubs like Marlow is to balance the experience of players who have played at this level with the youngsters who are coming through.

"You can't buy stars - you have to bring them through a good youth system."

And Bressington believes the current crop of youngsters will do the club proud, highlighting the pre-season performances of centre midfielder Adam Dickens and left-sided player Johnny Gray.

Bressington said: "They're not the finished article but they're on the right road. They're going in the right direction and that's what we're looking for."

Marlow entertain Wokingham tomorrow (ko 3pm), with Bressington looking to keep their good start going.

He said: "The fitness regime has been excellent and the boys' attitude has been first class. we're trying to give the players as much time on the pitch as they can get because this is where they're getting their touch back and their passing back."