Red-hot White is key man for Sutton Benger

11:57am Friday 29th August 2008

From the six scheduled matches in Division Two, only one features teams who locked horns last term.

That is the battle between The Crown Devizes and Sutton Benger which is due to be played at Sands Lane, Rowde - that's providing the pitch is ready to use.

Sutton Benger, who won just two matches on the road last season, face a Crown side who are unbeaten in their last seven home games and that includes winning their last four, so it would be fair to that Benger will go into the game as underdogs and that the hosts should chalk up a win.

Having said that the sides shared the honours last term with one win apiece and a lot may depend on whether Sutton Benger's red-hot striker Matt White hits the ground running, but if the Crown can field all their summer signings - that include their own hit man Johnny Emm- then they should record a comfortable victory.

Affordable Mortgages Villa v AFC Bell

NEWLY-promoted AFC Bell, who are favourites to clinch a third successive title, kick-off their season with a trip to Affordable Mortgages Villa (formerly Horse and Groom), but with Villa unable to use their ground at Leighton Sports, Westbury, they are desperately looking for another venue to host Craig Townsend's side.

Comparing last season's form of both teams it is hard to see anything other than a convincing win for AFC Bell who, despite losing utility player Gareth Evans, have strengthened their side.

In player-manager Townsend they boost the league's golden boot winner from last term and they have signed Luke Enderby from British Lion and it could be Enderby who steals the headlines from his manager.

Villa will be hoping that they will have a much better season this year than they did last, when they just managed to beat the drop. With a clutch of new signings they ought to achieve their aim, but they will have to settle for second best this Sunday.

Christian Malford v Hullavington

MATT Wilkins has taken over from Adam Reeves as manager of Hullavington and his first league match in charge of the villagers sees him take his side to Kington Langley, the new home for Christian Malford.

Wilkins will be expected to guide his team, that contains his brothers Jif and Ed who topped the division two scoring charts last term, to a convincing win over a Malford side who are in the process of rebuilding having lost top scorer Aaron Merryweather and a few other players in the close season.

It is hard to see anything other than a victory for Hullavington who suffered a 4-1 defeat when the teams last met in January 2007 and this was after they had beaten Malford 5-0 earlier in the campaign.

Eastlands v AFC Melksham

CHIPPENHAM Police, who have changed their names to Eastlands, might regret taking the decision to remain in the division rather than accepting the drop to Division Three.

The former police side begin with a home game at George Ward School, Melksham, against Mickey Hawkes's AFC Melksham side who have made numerous changes to last season's squad. The re-signing of Gareth Evans from AFC Bell might just be the difference between success and failure especially if Evans can link up with Wayne Bailey to form a formidable strike force.

Eastlands hope to include a number of youngsters to their ageing side but they might take a little while to settle in and this game could come too early for the team who would have opted for an easier game if given the choice.

Eastlands will be hoping to start with a morale-boosting win, but the signs point to a win for the newly-promoted AFC Melksham side who should win with ease. It would be a surprise if Evans didn't start off with two or three goals in the game.

Pheasant FC v Audley FC

STEVE Mallards' Audley side have had an excellent pre-season but now they are playing for points things might be a lot different, especially as their opponents on the opening day are local Chippenham-based rivals Pheasant, who will host them at Yatton Keynell.

Audley will have to raise their game if they are to get anywhere near Ollie Selman's side who scored over 100 goals last term.

Packed with quality strikers, Pheasant have added Rob Stephens (ex Corsham Centre) and former Biddestone Social front man John O'Meara to their already impressive squad which includes players like Nat Auckland, Tom Jones, Ben Highmore and Jack Coathupe.

It would be a shock if the Audley were to get anywhere near the Pheasant who should register a convincing victory and more importantly pick up maximum points as they look for back-to-back promotion.

For Audley to cause an upset they will have to hope that the likes of Dave and Mark Nolan, Chris Yeo and Ben Arthurs can maintain their pre-season form which is unlikely against more superior opposition than they have been used to playing. With local pride at stake the Audley are certain to up their game but it still won't be enough to save them from defeat on this occasion.

Pig and Whistle United v Biddestone White Horse

HAVING lost a number of players in the summer, there was some concern that Melksham-based Pig and Whistle United would be around to kick off the season at home to newly promoted Biddestone White Horse.

But United are confident they will be ready for the opening day as they have recruited a number of youngsters who play for Melksham Town Reserves. Former player Andy Robbins has returned from Atworth United and he has brought Rob Mannings with him, so it is not all doom and gloom at United as was first feared.

United's opponents lost just two matches last season yet missed out on an automatic promotion spot due to their seven drawn matches. This is a match that Biddestone White Horse should win, but if last season is anything to go by it could end in stalemate to give both teams a point on the opening day which would suit the hosts more than the visitors.