BARNTON will hope to make home advantage count when they start life at a higher level this season.

The Villagers, promoted to the North West Counties League’s Premier Division via the play-offs last term, act as hosts for four of their first five fixtures.

Steve Lloyd’s side welcome Ashton Athletic to Townfield for a curtain-raiser on Monday, August 8.

Bootle are the visitors five days later, while there are home dates with Irlam – who are also making the step up from Division One – and title-hopefuls Atherton Collieries too.

A first outing on the road is to Cammell Laird on Tuesday, August 16, before attention turns to a meeting with neighbours Winsford United at Barton Stadium.

Other key dates include a return clash with Blues on Monday, November 7, and derby dates with 1874 Northwich on Tuesday, October 4 and Saturday, March 18.

Those two teams also meet in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday week, August 6.

Boxing Day brings with it a home meeting with Cammell Laird.

Calendar

Aug 09        Ashton Athletic (h)

Aug 13        Bootle (h)

Aug 16        Cammell Laird (a)

Aug 22        Irlam (h)

Aug 27        Atherton Collieries (h)

Aug 29        Winsford United (a)

Sep 03        Nelson (a)

Sep 05        Runcorn Linnets (h)

Sep 13        Congleton Town (a)

Sep 17        West Didsbury & Chorlton (a)

Sep 19        Hanley Town (h)

Sep 27        Abbey Hey (a)

Oct 04         1874 Northwich (a)

Oct 08         Padiham (h)

Oct 11         Bootle (a)

Oct 15         Squires Gate (a)

Oct 25         Runcorn Linnets (a)

Nov 05        AFC Liverpool (h)

Nov 07        Winsford United (h)

Nov 12        AFC Darwen (a)

Nov 14        Congleton Town (h)

Nov 19        New Mills (h)

Nov 26        Barnoldswick Town (a)

Dec 03        Runcorn Town (h)

Dec 10        Nelson (h)

Dec 17        New Mills (a)

Dec 26        Cammell Laird (h)

Dec 31        Hanley Town (a)

Jan 07         AFC Darwen (h)

Jan 14         Ashton Athletic (a)

Jan 21         AFC Liverpool (a)

Jan 28         West Didsbury & Chorlton (h)

Feb 04        Atherton Collieries (a)

Feb 11        Maine Road (a)

Feb 18        Squires Gate (h)

Mar 04        Abbey Hey (h)

Mar 18        1874 Northwich (h)

Apr 01         Irlam (a)

Apr 08         Barnoldswick Town (h)

Apr 16         Runcorn Town (a)

Apr 22         Maine Road (h)

Apr 29         Padiham (a)