Tuesday 21st July 2015

Royal Wootton Bassett Town will open their Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division campaign with the visit of division newcomers Brackley Town Saints to the New Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on Saturday August 8th.

It will be the inaugural contest between the two teams, though Bassett did play the Saints' parent team – now in the National League North – during the club's first stint in the Hellenic Premier at the beginning of the century. Bassett won one of their eight meetings, with a draw and six defeats.

Brackley enjoyed an impressive season in Division One East in 2014-15, beating off Old Woodstock Town to finishing runners-up to champions Wokingham and Emmbrook.

Paul Braithwaite's team will then make the journey to Oxford City Nomads, who finished two places below Bassett in 13th last time out, on Wednesday August 12th. Despite the better placing, the two meetings saw Oxford City win at home and hold Bassett to a 2-2 draw at the Corinium Stadium. Indeed, Bassett are searching for their first win against the Nomads since August 2010.

Following the FA Cup fixture against league rivals Bracknell Town on Saturday 15th, Bassett inaugurate the lights at the club's new ground when Ardley United are the visitors on August 19th. Eighth in 2014-15, Ardley suffered only their third defeat in 22 league contests against Bassett when they visited the Corinium last year.

Two trips to the polar ends of the Hellenic League's footprint come after that. On Saturday 22nd, the team journey to reigning champions Flackwell Heath. Though Flackwell are a good bet to retain their crown, Bassett will be hoping for their third successive draw at Wilks Park.

Quick on the back of that is a visit to Lydney Town, promoted this season after finishing third in Division One West, on Wednesday 25th. Their Forest of Dean-based ground has been a relatively happy hunting ground for Bassett, with two wins and a draw from their most recent journeys for league matches against Lydney.

Saturday 29th currently remains a free date with Bassett's opponents depending on the outcome of their FA Cup Extra Qualifying round match. Should they win, then they will visit either Abingdon United or Brimscombe and Thrupp.

The first month of the campaign then rounds off with the big one: Bassett against Highworth Town. Last season Bassett thumped their rivals 5-1 at The Elms, though were defeated 1-0 by their local rivals at home. This time, however, that home fixture will actually take place in Bassett, where the Worthians haven't recorded a win since 2005…

Full fixtures for August can be found on the first team's individual page.

Last modified on Tuesday 21st July 2015 at 21:10.