THE WESSEX League has announced the opening day fixtures for both of its divisions.

Teams in the Wessex Premier will begin their campaigns on Tuesday, August 2, whilst Wessex Division One sides not in FA Cup action will start their league fixtures on Saturday, August 6.

The Extra Preliminary Qualifying round of the FA Cup will also take place on Saturday, August 6, with all Wessex Premier sides and certain Division One sides entering the competition.

10th tier teams will learn their FA Cup status on Friday, July 1, when Acceptance lists for the FA Cup, FA Trophy, and FA Vase will all be announced.

Clubs will then know their opponents when the draw for the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary Rounds is made on Friday, July 8.

The first two rounds of the FA Vase will also be drawn on the same day.

Dorset Premier League champions Hamworthy Recreation begin life in the Wessex League away at Andover Town in Division One, whilst fellow newcomers, promoted from the Hampshire Premier League, Fleetlands, host Andover’s town rivals, Andover New Street.

Local rivals Ringwood and Verwood have been handed home starts to the campaign, with Verwood entertaining Whitchurch United, and Ringwood set to host Fleet Spurs.

New Milton Town host Millbrook, whilst there is an SO postcode derby between Romsey Town and Totton & Eling.

Pat McManus’ Brockenhurst side host Fawzi Saadi’s Christchurch in the Wessex Premier, whilst Bournemouth Poppies start the season with one of their longest trips, travelling across Dorset to visit Portland United.

Blackfield & Langley host current Wessex Division One champions Bemerton Heath Harlequins, whilst Laverstock & Ford travel to Hythe & Dibden in their first game back in the Wessex’s top-flight after a 10-year absence.

Wessex League opening fixtures:

Tuesday, August 2 - Premier Division

• AFC Portchester v Cowes Sports

• Blackfield & Langley v Bemerton Heath Harlequins

• Brockenhurst v Christchurch

• Fareham Town v AFC Stoneham

• Hamble Club v Baffins Milton Rovers

• Horndean v Moneyfields

• Hythe & Dibden v Laverstock & Ford

• Pagham v US Portsmouth

• Portland United v Bournemouth

• Shaftesbury v Alresford Town

Friday August 5 – Division One*

• Folland Sports v Fawley AFC

Saturday August 6 - Division One* + FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round ties drawn on Friday, July 8

• Andover Town v Hamworthy Recreation

• Ash United v Newport IoW

• East Cowes Vics v Amesbury

• Fleetlands v Andover New Street

• New Milton Town v Millbrook

• Petersfield Town v Downton

• Ringwood Town v Fleet Spurs

• Romsey Town v Totton & Eling

• Verwood Town v Whitchurch United

(*subject to FA Cup draw)

The first two rounds of the Wessex League Cup have also been drawn, with 24 sides handed byes.

Wessex League Cup First and Second Rounds:

First Round (Ties to be played Tuesday, August 30, 2022)

• Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Hythe & Dibden

• Downton v Folland Sports

• Horndean v Laverstock & Ford

• Moneyfields v New Milton Town (@ New Milton Town)

• Petersfield Town v Newport IOW

• Portland United v Fareham Town

• Ringwood Town v Hamworthy Recreation

• Verwood Town v Fawley AFC

Second Round (Date TBC, Confirmed teams in bold)

• AFC Stoneham v Cowes Sports

• Alresford Town v Downton or Folland Sports

• Amesbury Town v Hamble Club

• Andover Town v Bournemouth Poppies

• Ash United v Pagham

• Bemerton Heath Harlequins or Hythe & Dibden v Brockenhurst

• East Cowes Victoria v Portland United or Fareham Town

• Fleetlands v Blackfield & Langley

• Fleet Spurs v Andover New Street

• Millbrook v Shaftesbury

• New Milton Town or Moneyfields v AFC Portchester

• Petersfield Town or Newport IoW v United Services Portsmouth

• Ringwood Town or Hamworthy Recreation v Verwood Town or Fawley AFC

• Romsey Town v Christchurch

• Totton & Eling v Horndean or Laverstock & Ford

• Whitchurch United v Baffins Milton Rovers