THE release of next season’s fixtures has confirmed that Northwich, like in the previous campaign, will travel to a newly-promoted opponent on the opening day.

Martin Poste’s men, who narrowly missed out on second spot in North One West last time out, head to Anselmians on the first Saturday in September.

A home date with neighbours Warrington follows seven days later.

They conclude the opening month with trips to Birkenhead Park, relegated from the North Premier, and Burnage before they entertain Blackburn at Moss Farm.

A meeting with Stockport, expected to be a rival for promotion, is a highlight in October.

November starts with a head-to-head against Firwood Waterloo, over whom Northwich completed a double last season, before a date with North Lancs/Cumbria champions De La Salle.

Penrith, moved sideways from North One East after finishing fourth in that section, are due in town after that.

Blacks’ annual visit to Isle of Man, to take on Douglas, starts a run-up to Christmas that concludes with the return against neighbours Warrington.

A 14-strong section, from which Altrincham Kersal and Rochdale have dropped down a level, also includes Broughton Park following their promotion from South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

Vale of Lune step up to the North Premier as champions along with Wilmslow, who edged out Driffield in a play-off last month.

They had won six of their previous seven matches, a sequence started by a last-gasp victory at Moss Farm, to pip Northwich to the runners-up position.