Friendlies Preview

Pre-season is in full swing for most Evo-Stik Northern Premier League teams, and, with the release of the fixtures earlier this week, the season is inching closer by the day.

The big pre-season clash on Saturday (16th July) sees Chester FC welcome FC United of Manchester in what is likely to be the best supported game of the day. The sides will also meet in the Premier Division this season, so the clash may well give some clues as to which are the team to watch in 2011/12.

Premier Division new boys Chorley welcome local Premier League side Bolton Wanderers to Victory Park, while fellow north-westerners Kendal Town play host to Ian Holloway's Blackpool, who were relegated from the top flight last season.

Worksop Town are back at Sandy Lane - branded as the Windsor Foodservice Stadium - and have League Two Sheffield Wednesday as the visitors. Goole AFC open their pre-season account with the visit of npower Championship side Barnsley to Victoria Pleasure Grounds, while Nantwich Town also play host to Football League opposition in the shape of Macclesfield Town.

First Division South outfit Quorn talke on York City, and refomed Ilkeston FC welcome Lincoln City - recently relegated from the Football League - to the New Manor Ground.

For a full list of all 34 of this weekend's pre-season friendlies, click on this link; http://goo.gl/8Z2uB