FRESHFORD are expected to be the team to beat in the top tier of the Trowbridge & District League next term as they head out in search of a hat-trick of titles.

Chris Birleson’s side are the favourites to rise to the top of a 12-team division but will face stiff competition from a number of sides, and one of those could be Hilperton United who they host on the opening day.

Castle Combe, who had a somewhat troubled campaign last term, open by hosting Aces FC in a match they will be favourites to win. Heytesbury, who finished as runners-up in Division Two, begin life in the top flight with a tasty home fixture against near neighbours Warminster Town Reserves, who will have to play a lot better than they did last season, otherwise the hosts will capture maximum points.

Beversbrook, in Calne, will host one of the games of the day as Potterne FC who were playing third division football last term, welcome White Horse FC and if the game is half as entertaining as last season’s Knockout Cup Final between the teams, which White Horse won 3-2 after being 2-0 down, it promises to be a thriller.

Over at Little Marsh, Semington Magpies manager Dave Jenkins will be hoping that his chargers can kick-off with a win against last season’s runners-up Bradford United whilst Westbury United Reserves, who were playing Wiltshire League football last season, will look to beat Luxol St Andrews.

St Andrews, as Holt FC, lifted the Division Two title back in May.

All three of the Division Two newcomers are on the road for their opening game of the campaign.

Melksham Town A, who are tipped to do well this season, host Aces Reserves, for whom many of their players were playing in the now-defunct Bath League last term.

Luxol St Andrews Reserves and AFC Bradley take on respective opponents Trowbridge Town Reserves and United FC. With Mark Hurkett in charge of Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves, he will be hoping that he can reproduce the magic that saw him guide Westwood News to silverware in 2013 and 2014.

Wanderers begin with a tricky clash at home to Calne Eagles but they should have enough experience to overcome Eagles for a third game on the spin.

Westbury Town, who are one of the favourites for promotion, and Zeals FC complete the line-up of opening day fixtures in Division Two and it would be a huge surprise if Westbury didn’t claim a convincing victory over Zeals, who failed to win a game last season and whose last victory came in December 2013.

Saturday, September 5 (all kick-offs 3pm):

Division One: Castle Combe v Aces, Freshford v Hilperton, Heytesbury v Warminster Res, Potterne v White Horse, Semington Magpies v Bradford United, Westbury Res v Luxol St Andrews.

Division Two: Melksham Town A v Aces Reserves, Trowbridge Town Res v Luxol St Andrews Res, Trowbridge Wanderers Res v Calne Eagles, United FC v AFC Bradley, Westbury Town v Zeals.