WINSFORD United will start their first season in North West Counties League Division One South away from home.

Fixtures until the end of August have been revealed for the 2023-24 campaign, with Blues learning they will be making the trip to Alsager Town in their opening contest on Saturday, July 29.

Barnton, however, will start the season at home to Sandbach United in the same division on the same day.

Winsford's first home game will follow three days later against Brocton, while The Villagers will head to New Mills that night in their first away game of the new term.

It is a new chapter for Blues, who applied to be demoted from the North West Counties League Premier Division after the Football Association's end-of-season allocations led to Winsford being moved laterally into the Midland League - a move which Blues bosses felt would have been disastrous financially.

Playing in Division One South will keep Winsford's league matches 'local'.

Also in August, Winsford will be facing Droylsden, Cammell Laird 1907, Market Drayton Town, Stafford Town, Stockport Town, Ashville and Maine Road in league games; while Barnton will also be tackling Maine Road, Abbey Hulton United, Stockport Town, Cammell Laird 1907, Ashville, Abbey Hey and Eccleshall.

The pre-season campaign is up and running for both clubs, with Winsford having drawn 0-0 at Holywell Town and Barnton losing 1-0 at Wythenshawe on Saturday.

This Saturday, Blues visit Coppull United, kick-off 3pm, while The Villagers host their ground tenants 1874 Northwich, kick-off 3pm.

Barnton will be in action at Lostock Gralam, too, next Wednesday (July 12), kick-off 7pm.

After facing Barnton on Saturday, Northern Premier League West side 1874 will head to Bury next Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm. The Greens were 5-0 victors in their first pre-season friendly at Ardal North West League side C.P.D Y Rhyl 1879 on Saturday.

Fellow Northern Premier League West team Witton Albion start their pre-season at home to Alsager Town on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, before meeting their ground tenants Northwich Victoria at the U Lock It Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Vics, who returned to action at Lostock Gralam on Tuesday night, will continue to prepare for life in the Midland League Premier Division away to Conwy Borough on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

North West Counties Football League Division South 2023-24 fixtures until the end of August for Barnton and Winsford United:

Sat 29 July: Alsager Town v Winsford United, Barnton v Sandbach United.

Tue 1 Aug: New Mills v Barnton, Winsford United v Brocton.

Sat 5 Aug: FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, or Maine Road v Barnton, Winsford United v Droylsden.

Tue 8 Aug: Cammell Laird 1907 v Winsford United.

Wed 9 Aug: Barnton v Abbey Hulton United.

Sat 12 Aug: Barnton v Stockport Town, Market Drayton Town v Winsford United.

Tue 15 Aug: Cammell Laird 1907 v Barnton, Winsford United v Stafford Town.

Sat 19 Aug: Ashville v Barnton, Winsford United v Stockport Town.

Tue 22 Aug: Ashville v Winsford United.

Wed 23 Aug: Barnton v Abbey Hey.

Sat 26 Aug: FA Vase First Preliminary Round.

Mon 28 Aug: Barnton v Eccleshall, Winsford United v Maine Road.