THE South West Peninsula League have released their fixtures for the 2021/22 campaign which gets underway in just over seven weeks’ time.
Like last season’s truncated campaign, the divisions have been split into Premier West (Cornish clubs) and Premier East (Devon clubs bar Torpoint Athletic).
The season starts on Friday, August 5, at Underlane, as Wendron United welcome neighbours Falmouth Town, and at Bovey Tracey, who entertain Dartmouth.
The rest of the teams start the next day.
With Saltash United, Helston Athletic and Mousehole all promoted into the Western League, the question is, will Camelford or Dobwalls maintain their surprisingly lofty positions or will the likes of Bodmin Town and St Blazey as expected, make a big splash?
Elsewhere on the opening day, Launceston, under ‘new’ manager Dan Hart, entertain promoted Penryn Athletic, Liskeard, who have a new-look squad, welcome Newquay, while Callington, under the guidance of new manager Matt Hayden, have a tough test at Bodmin Town. Bodmin are also at home on Wednesday, August 11 as Camelford make the short trip over to Priory Park, but Town are away on the 14th at Dobwalls.
Elsewhere on that afternoon, Launceston head to Liskeard Athletic.
Camelford have a nine-day break from their trip to Bodmin before they welcome rivals Wadebridge Town on Friday, August 20 (7.30pm), with the return set for Bodieve Park on Friday, December 17 (7.30pm). Bodmin visit the Camels on Wednesday, October 6.
Camelford round off August with successive home games against Launceston (Wednesday, August 25) and Liskeard Athletic (Saturday, August 28).
The Launceston return game is at Pennygillam on Tuesday, October 19 (7.30pm), while they end the season on Saturday, April 16 when Penzance visit.
Launceston and Callington Town usually meet at Christmas and Easter and this season will be no different.
Callington welcome the Clarets on December 27 (11am) with the final game set for Pennygillam on April 15 (11am).
Callington don’t have long to wait to face neighbours Liskeard Athletic, with the Blues visiting Ginsters Marshfield Parc on Wednesday, August 18 (7.30pm).
New boss Hayden will be particularly looking forward to trying to get one over his old club St Blazey, who sacked him and assistant Shaun Vincent earlier this year.
Cally travel down the A390 on Wednesday, August 25 (7.30pm) before welcoming Phil Lafferty’s side on Saturday, November 20 (3pm).
With Saltash United gone, Liskeard’s derby dates with Dobwalls will take on even more significance. They play on December 27 and April 15 (both 11am). The Blues have home advantage first.
Dobwalls’ Lantoom Park is one of the toughest places to win in the county. After an opening-day trip to Camelford, the Dingos entertain Bodmin Town before starting a run of five away games out of six.
If Simon Westlake’s men get through those with a healthy points tally, then they should be set for another excellent campaign.
Darren Gilbert’s Bodmin will be expected to compete for the title come April. They face rivals Wadebridge Town at home on Boxing Day (11am), and could lift the crown at Bodieve Park on Good Friday.
Their dates with old rivals St Austell are set for Friday, December 3 at home, with the trip to Poltair Park on March 12 (3pm).
To view all of the fixtures in full, see this week’s paper!