Boss Rob Smith will send his AFC Telford United side out to attack when they travel to Stalybridge Celtic for their first away game of the Blue Square North campaign tonight.

Stalybridge got off to a flying start at the weekend, winning 4-1 at Redditch, while the Bucks were rather laboured in their 1-1 draw at home to Blyth Spartans.

But the Telford chief is eager to achieve an ambitious target of seven points from the first three games.

He will almost certainly include Steve Torpey, the summer signing from Stalybridge, in his starting line-up at Celtic’s Bower Fold.

“They’re a decent side with some quality players, and I think they’re even better than last season,” said Smith.

“Their problem last season was defensively, but they’ve got that right by bringing in two absolutely quality centre-halves.

“We’ve always known they can score goals and there’s a real attacking threat there – that’s the same with any side of Steve Burr’s (the Stalybridge manager).

“With Fleetwood away on Saturday to come, it’s a tough week. If we can come through the two unbeaten then it won’t be a bad start – even if it’s two draws.

“The target for the first three games was seven points though, and that’s not changed so we’ll be going for the win.”

Smith is still without skipper Stuart Whitehead, who is ruled out with a knee injury.

Whitehead is spending the week recuperating at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall and looks on track to feature at Fleetwood at the weekend.

His absence was telling last Saturday, with Smith particularly frustrated by the display of his defensive unit against Blyth.

“Stalybridge won’t compromise with the way they play,” he added. “If we defend like we did on Saturday, we’ll be in trouble.

“Defensively, it was very poor and they need to up their game.”

By CHRIS HUDSON