Boss Paul Barry has warned the kid gloves are set to come off for his Hampton & Richmond Borough men.

The Beavers lost 2-1 to a Swansea City development game on Tuesday night ahead of Saturday’s visit from a Crystal Palace XI.

The Eagles will be the third team of high-profile youngsters to have visited the Beveree this summer after the Swans and Championship new boys Brentford.

But with clashes to come against Egham Town, Hanworth Villa and Fleet Town ahead of the Ryman premier League kick-off at title favourites Margate on August 9, Barry has told his squad it is time to get down to some good old fashioned nitty gritty.

“It has been great playing against these young teams. They are excellent footballing sides with excellent players, who play the way we aspire to,” said the joint manager.

“We’ve got games coming up against people around our level, which we will give us a clearer idea of where we are, but I would like to think we will start dominating games.”