Exmouth Town received notification this week of the allocation of teams in the Southern League Division One South for season 2023/24.

As expected, 15 teams remain from this past season, so Town will be locking horns again with Bashley, Bideford, Bishops Cleeve, Bristol Manor Farm, Evesham, Frome, Hamworthy, Larkhall, Melksham, Paulton, Tavistock, Westbury, Willand and Wimborne.

Instead of making the trip up the M5 to Cinderford and Slimbridge, Town will be travelling to Cribbs (Champions of the Hellenic League), Malvern (Runners up Hellenic) and Yate (relegated from Premier).

Whilst there will be less trips to Hampshire, with AFC Totton and Sholing promoted to the Premier Division and Lymington demoted, Exmouth will be making long trips to Bemerton Heath, (nr Salisbury) runners up in Wessex League and Mousehole, winners of the Western League.

Town will, of course, be renewing rivalry from their Western League days with Cribbs and Mousehole and have played Yate Town in the FA Cup but Malvern and Bemerton Heath will be new grounds to visit.

Overall, the travelling distance is not a lot different but spare a thought for Mousehole, who will face many journeys in excess of 200 miles each way.

The new season will start on Saturday, August 12, with fixtures expected to be released in July, although Town will expect to be in FA Cup action on Saturday, August 5. They start their pre-season

friendlies with an attractive fixture against newly-promoted to the National League South, Truro City, kick-off at the Circle of Care Community Stadium 7.45pm.

The Cornish club are managed by Plymouth Argyle legend Paul Wotton and will be competing against the likes of Torquay United and Taunton Town next season.

Other friendlies on the schedule include a visit from Llantwit Major on July 15 and a trip to play South Devon outfit Buckland Athletic on July 11. Buckland play in the Western League and familiar foes for Town.

While the cricket season is now taking centre stage, you can be sure Town manager Kevin Hill and his team already have twitchy feet for a busy pre-season.