A DERBY between Middlewich Town and Lostock Gralam is a highlight of matches in the Cheshire League season’s opening round.

The Witches act as hosts for the League One encounter on Wednesday, August 9, when they will attempt to avenge a hat-trick of defeats against the Grey Lambs last term.

A victory on penalties in the JA Walton Challenge Cup, following a 4-4 draw, was sandwiched by wins at both Seddon Street and Park Stadium for a side managed by Dom Johnson and Dean Jones.

Meanwhile Rudheath Social, who avoided relegation from the Premier Division only after a final-day success against Garswood during the previous campaign, start a new one at Crewe FC.

They head to Rylands the following Saturday.

Cuddington kick off their League Two campaign with a trip to relegated Tarporley Victoria before hosting newcomers St Helens Town reserves.

In the same section, Barnton reserves visit their Sandbach United counterparts before hosting Tarporley.

Fixtures

Cheshire League

Monday, August 7 (kick off 7.45pm)

League Two

Maine Road res v Buxton res

Tuesday, August 8 (kick off 6.45pm)

Premier Division

Altrincham res v Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads

Eagle v Billinge

Knutsford v Warrington Town res

Rylands v Greenalls PSO

Whaley Bridge v Denton Town

League One

Daten v Egerton

Garswood United v Pilkington

Golborne Sports v AFC Macclesfield

Mersey Valley v Cheadle Town res

League Two

Grappenhall Sports v Winstanley Warriors

Moore United v Blacon Youth Club

Orford v St Helens Town res

Tarporley Victoria v Cuddington

Wednesday, August 9 (kick off 6.45pm unless stated)

Premier Division

Congleton Vale v Malpas (kick off 7pm)

Crewe FC v Rudheath Social

Poynton v Wythenshawe Town

League One

FC St Helens v Deva Athletic

Middlewich Town v Lostock Gralam

West Didsbury & Chorlton res v Styal

Windle Labour v Halebank

League Two

Broadheath Central v Unicorn Ath

Ford Motors v Vulcan

Sandbach United res v Barnton res

Saturday, August 12 (kick off 3pm)

Premier Division

Ashton Town v Congleton Vale

Denton Town v Warrington Town res

Greenalls PSO v Crewe FC

Knutsford v Altrincham res

Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads v Billinge

Poynton v Eagle

Rylands v Rudheath Social

Wythenshawe Town v Malpas

League One

AFC Macclesfield v Mersey Valley

Cheadle Town res v Middlewich Town

Deva Athletic v West Didsbury & Chorlton res

Egerton v Golborne Sports

Lostock Gralam v Garswood United

Pilkington v Halebank

Styal v FC St Helens

Windle Labour v Daten

League Two

Barnton res v Tarporley Victoria

Broadheath Central v Orford

Cuddington v St Helens Town res

Ford Motors v Moore United

Grappenhall Sports v Buxton res

Sandbach United res v Vulcan

Unicorn Ath v Winstanley Warriors