THE SYDENHAMS Wessex League will be getting off to a midweek start this season, thanks to the FA Cup.
The opening round of the world-famous cup competition is on August 6 and clubs like to get a few league matches in before their FA?Cup involvement begins.
Therefore, league bosses have had to abandon the usual Saturday start to the league season to accommodate the earlier than normal FA?Cup starting date, and the first league game will be played on Monday, August 1.
Alresford Town have had a reprieve from relegation to Division 1 but their Premier Division season doesn’t begin until August 9, when they travel to Andover Town.
Horndean hit the road for their first league action on August 2 and a game at AFC Portchester.
Their home campaign begins with a local derby against Fareham Town on August 10. Alresford’s first home league game isn’t until September 17 when they will host Brockenhurst.
Alresford and Horndean will first go head to head on September 28 at Arlebury Park, with the return game at Five Heads Park to be played on January 4.
The Christmas period matches will see Horndean travel to Moneyfields for a local derby on December 27, with Alresford hosting Sholing on December 28.
The final round of matches in the 2016-17 season is scheduled for April 22, with Horndean playing host to Bashley and Alresford at home to Andover Town.