CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier concedes his side will have to on their game right from the off at the start of the new National League South season.

Town will go on the road on the opening day of the new campaign after being handed a trip to Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday, August 4.

Collier’s men play their first home match of the new season four days after their opener, with Slough Town visiting Hardenhuish Park on Tuesday, August 7.

The Bluebirds are preparing for their second season at National League level, having finished comfortably in mid-table in their maiden campaign in 2017-18.

Chippenham have two local derbies in December as they host Bath City on Boxing Day, having earlier travelled to Hungerford Town on Saturday, December 8.

They face the return fixture against Bath at Twerton Park on New Year’s Day, with Hungerford due to visit Hardenhuish Park on Saturday, February 16.

Collier’s troops finish the campaign on home turf as they host Chelmsford City on the final day of the season on Saturday, April 27.

With a midweek trip to Truro City on Tuesday, August 14 as well as further tricky ties in the opening month, Collier concedes his side will have to hit the ground running.

“It’s a tough start to but it’ s something to be expected. There are no teams who we would have preferred to play, “ he said.

“Hemel are very good going forward, and by their own admission, the play-offs are expected at their end.

“That game is followed by Slough, who are a newly-promoted side. We always had tight games with them in the Southern Premier in the past so it will be a good test for our first home game.

“They will bring good support with them on the night so it is something to look forward to.

“We always seem to get Truro on a Tuesday night. That will be a late one, then when we get back the next thing you know is you’re on the way to Eastbourne.

"But we can't complain, travelling comes with the territory. It’s a tough start start but we’re ready for it.

“We have done some hard work and now we can really get our teeth into it.”