WARRINGTON Town will start their first assault on the Evo-Stik League Premier Division at home to Stourbridge.

Stuart Mellish’s side will host the West Midlands outfit, who finished sixth on the ladder last term, at Cantilever Park on Saturday, August 13, kick off 3pm.

Their first away fixture comes three days later as Town head to the North East to tackle fellow promoted team Spennymoor Town on Tuesday, August 16.

“We’re delighted to get a home game first up. Stourbridge are strong and well-organised so it will be a good test for us,” Mellish said.

"I think we'll get that a lot this season, teams will be better organised and better at managing games.

“Spennymoor will be just as tough after that. They are a team we have a lot of respect for, and the three home games after that represents a good chance for us to get some points on the board.

"If we can get off to a good start, it gives us a solid base from which to attack the middle part of the season."

Meanwhile, preparations for the new season have continued apace and all of Mellish’s five new signings got their first run-outs last Wednesday as the team fell to a 4-0 loss to League Two side Carlisle United at Cantilever Park.

They were more successful on Saturday afternoon as they recorded a 5-0 victory away at Brickfield Athletic, which was followed by a 3-3 draw with North West Counties League outfit Abbey Hey on Tuesday night.

“I don’t pay too much attention to the results in pre-season. It’s all about the players getting to know each other and trying out different combinations,” Mellish said.

"The games we've had have been good workouts, the Abbey Hey game in particular was a good one to watch.

“The guys have been working very hard and buying into everything we want from them. We can’t wait for August to come round.”