Prestwich Heys new era under Lee O’Brien and James Hampson will start with a home game against Burscough on Saturday, July 30, writes Stephen Howard.

The fixture will be played at Adie Moran Park, (3pm ko) and forms part of an exciting opening month of NW Counties League Premier Division games, released this morning, which include two midweek away derby fixtures.

Heys edged last seasons’ meetings with Burscough, winning the away fixture 2-1 before the sides shared a 1-1 draw in the return. It will be a much different looking Heys side that takes to the field this time around and the new Management team will be looking for their team to hit the ground running.

The first of the midweek derbies comes on Tuesday 2nd August when Heys travel to newly promoted West Didsbury & Chorlton. The sides produced a classic when they met last season in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy with Didsbury winning 4-3 at Adie Moran Park. The hosts first home game back in the top flight is sure to attract a huge crowd to the Step Places Stadium which saw gates of close on 1.000 as Didsbury won the Division One South title.

With the FA Cup getting under way on the weekend of 6th August, Heys next League fixture sees them at home to Winsford United on Tuesday 9th August. (7.45pm). Last season saw the games go very much the way of the home team with Heys 4-1 winners and Winsford 5-0 victors in the return.

Charnock Richard, who can be expected to be challenging at the top of the table are the visitors to Prestwich on Saturday, August 13 (3pm).

Another midweek derby follows on Tuesday 16th August with Heys making the short trip to Radcliffe to face Bury AFC (7.45pm) where another bumper crowd can be expected.

With another round of FA Cup fixtures on the weekend of 20th August, at present Heys next League game sees them host Squires Gate on Tuesday 23rd August (7.45pm). However, League games may be scheduled for those sides not involved in the Cup on the weekend of the 20th.

The FA Vase commences on August 27 so no games have been scheduled but there may be matches arranged for those sides not involved.

August concludes with a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Barnoldswick Town, kick off 3pm.

Heys Full fixtures are: Saturday 30th July Burscough Home 3pm; Tuesday 2nd August West Didsbury & Chorlton Away 7.45pm; Saturday 6th August FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round; Tuesday 9th August Winsford United Home 7.45pm; Saturday 13th August Charnock Richard Home 3pm; Tuesday 16th August Bury AFC Away 7.45pm; Saturday 20th August FA Cup Preliminary Round; Tuesday 23rd August Squires Gate Home 7.45pm; Saturday 27th August FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round; Monday 29th August Barnoldswick Town Away 3pm

Heys played two matches last week in their build up to the season. They came from behind to win 2-1 at Manchester League Bolton United before drawing 0-0 at Blackpool Wren Rovers last Saturday.

They step up their preparations this week with three matches in five days, starting with a home game against Ramsbottom United on Saturday (1pm) before welcoming Eagley to Adie Moran Park on Monday night (7.30pm). Heys then face Walshaw in the St. Anne’s Cup Tournament at Tottington United on Wednesday (6.45pm).

n Bury AFC were beaten 3-1 by Atherton Collieries in their latest pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.