THE Hellenic League season doesn't start until tomorrow but John Fisher is already in a bad mood.

The league's officials are the target of the Highworth manager's rage following the decision to kick off a week later than everyone else.

As is the tradition, the Hellenic campaign begins on the third Saturday of August.

But early FA Cup and FA Vase commitments could lead to a major fixture backlog for many clubs so Fisher can't fathom why league secretary Brian King has not brought the opening day forward a week in line with their contemporaries.

Said Fisher: "Next weekend we've got Falmouth in the FA Cup. If we get through we've got Elmore the weekend after and then Larkhall in the FA Vase the Saturday after that.

"We could go five Saturday's without a league game.

"Every other league kicked off last week but apparently the Hellenic ALWAYS starts on the third Saturday of the month so we're left kicking our heels.

"At the end of the season they will say we have to be finished by a certain date and we'll end up having to play four or five games a week. I'm very annoyed."

Highworth begin their assault on the Premier Division title with a trip to Pegasus Juniors tomorrow and while Fisher might not be happy with fixture arrangements, he's more than satisfied with the team he's assembled.

"This is the best squad I've had since I've been here," he said.

"The only problem will be keeping all the players happy."

Fisher is at full strength but for two long-term absentees.

Neil Dix has knee ligament damage and Marc Belcher is still recovering from a cartilage tear suffered last season.

Elsewhere in the Premier, Pete Yeardley takes his Wootton Bassett side to Abingdon a venue where they rarely taste defeat.

"In my five years here I have yet to lose there," said Yeardley.

"It's traditionally a happy hunting ground for Bassett."

The manager has defensive worries though, with Richard Gee out through an ankle injury and fellow centre back Rich Willis on work commitments.

Former Bassett youth player Adam Greaney is drafted in after three years away at university.

Rob Hopkins adds further cover, while forward Andy Youngsam should make his debut after signing in the summer.

Shrivenham's pre-season preparations are in tatters ahead of their Division One West opener at home to Adderbury.

Alan Dyton's title favourites lost just one friendly encounter and were widely expected to cruise to an opening day victory.

But the Shrivvy squad has been decimated on the eve of the season, with a glut of first-team players ruled out.

Said Dyton: "Eight players will be missing for Adderbury, who gave us two of our hardest games last term, but my expectations will still be high."

Michael Silvanus, Liam Thompson, Andy Rainer, Matthew Hampson and Paul O'Connell all on holiday.

Nathan Holt and Jon Peters are at weddings and Tegg Jones is injured, with Mark Peters facing a fitness test.

League debuts will go to new signings Luke Alford, Mark Stevens, Neil Bridges, Russell Byrne, Steve Avenell and possibly Martin Thomson.

New Purton managerial duo Chris Pethick and Sean Clark head to Kidlington for their first match in charge.

With virtually all of last season's title winning squad quitting the club in the summer, Purton's side will be made up of last year's reserve squad and players who have followed Pethick and Clark from Wroughton.

Midfielder Lee Jones has been added to the squad but goalkeeper Nick Finney has broken a bone in his foot, leaving Ben Collier to don the gloves.

Ivor Probert's Cirencester United are at full strength for their journey to Quarry Nomads, while Malmesbury Vics open with a trip to Cheltenham Saracens.