Ryman League fixtures for 2015/16 season
Published: 00:00, 16 July 2015
Updated: 08:57, 16 July 2015
The Ryman League fixtures have been announced for the 2015/16 season, which gets under way on Saturday, August 8.
In the Premier Division, Tonbridge Angels will start their season away at Enfield, while VCD Athletic will host relegated side Farnborough.
There is no local start for Chatham Town on their return to Division 1 South, starting with an away trip to Peacehaven & Telscombe.
Last season’s play-off finalists Folkestone face Molesey at the Fullicks Stadium, while Faversham, who were knocked out at the semi-final stage last season, host Whyteleafe.
The first Kent derby of the season sees Herne Bay host Sittingbourne at Winch’s Field on the opening day, while near neighbours Whitstable travel to Walton & Hersham.
Ramsgate, now managed by Jim and Danny Ward, will be looking to get off to a flying start at Walton Casuals, after a disappointing 2014/15 campaign which saw them narrowly avoid relegation.
Tim Dixon’s Hythe Town, meanwhile, start with a trip to South Park.
In Division 1 North, Cray Wanderers start with an away trip to AFC Hornchurch while Southern Counties East champions Phoenix will entertain Maldon & Tiptree in their first-ever Ryman League fixture. Phoenix travel to Barkingside two days later.
Other highlights in the Premier Division include Tonbridge Angels and VCD meeting on August 31 (Bank Holiday Monday) at Longmead and again on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture.
Angels finish their season against the two promoted sides from Division 1 South, with a home clash against Merstham on April 16 before ending at Burgess Hill a week later.
VCD, meanwhile, end their campaign at home to Grays Athletic.
Chatham don’t have to wait long for a taste of derby action, with three in a row at the end of August. They travel to Herne Bay on the 22nd, host Ramsgate on 25th, before a trip to Faversham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
They also host Faversham on Boxing Day and finish the season at Whyteleafe on April 23.
Play-off hopefuls Faversham travel to Ramsgate in game two on August 11 and face Sittingbourne on January 2, they finish the season with a home game at Salters Lane against Hythe Town.
The Folkestone and Hythe derbies will take place on August Bank Holiday Monday, at the Fullicks, and Boxing Day, at Reachfields.
Folkestone, who will be looking to go one better and earn promotion, have their first derby on August 11 at Whitstable. They finish their season at home to Tooting & Mitcham.
Six of Herne Bay’s first eight games are derby matches – a stern test for Sam Denly’s side.
After the opener against Sittingbourne, they face away games at Hythe and Chipstead before hosting Chatham and Faversham. Whitstable are next up, at The Belmont, on August 31, followed by a home trip to Dorking and then the reverse fixture with Faversham.
Whitstable and Bay also clash on Boxing Day at Winch’s Field and Town finish their season at home to Guernsey.
Sittingbourne, boosted this week by news of new stadium plans, host Ramsgate on Boxing Day and finish up with a home clash against Molesey at Woodstock Park.
In Division 1 North, Cray host new boys Phoenix Sports on August Bank Holiday Monday, before the return on Boxing Day. They then end their season with a home tie against Maldon & Tiptree.
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James Black