HELSTON Athletic followers can start making plans for the new South West Peninsula League season after the 2020/21 fixtures were announced on Wednesday.

While the start date is conditional on the Government allowing spectators to return to football grounds, a proposed September 5 start sees Helston welcome Wadebridge Town to Kellaway Park in what will be their first game since March 11.

The Packet has analysed the Blues’ fixture list and made a note of the key games for Steve Massey’s side.

Falmouth Packet:

First five

Sept 5 – Wadebridge Town (H)

Sept 8 – Wendron United (A)

Sept 12 – Saltash United (H)

Sept 15 – Mousehole (A)

Sept 23 – Newquay (A)

The two fixtures that stand out in the Blues’ first five games are games three and four, when Helston face Saltash United and Mousehole in the space of three days.

Win those two and the Blues will be nicely placed early doors; Failure to win either would leave them with work to do.

A derby date at Wendron, a tricky trip to Newquay and an opening game at home to a Wadebridge side that did well on their travels last season means these first five games are not the easiest for Massey’s men.

With game number seven against rivals Falmouth Town on September 30, it is set to be a testing first month back.

Derby dates

Sept 8 – Wendron United (A)

Sept 30 – Falmouth Town (H)

Nov 11 – Wendron United (H)

Dec 26 – Porthleven (A)

Mar 10 – Falmouth Town (A)

Apr 2 – Porthleven (H)

The Blues’ first derby duel of the season comes in the first week when they make the short hop to Wendron United.

Massey’s side will remember how they required a 90th-minute goal to see off Jack Greenwood’s team last season in a game that started their 24-match winning run in the league.

Next up is an always eagerly awaited date with Falmouth Town on September 30. While Town had the edge in the two cup ties last season, the Blues won both league games last year to extend their league winning run over Andrew Westgarth’s side to four games.

A second midweek game at Wendron follows in November before the Boxing Day game against Porthleven, which will be at Gala Parc this season.

The return game will be at Helston on Good Friday, after the Blues make the trip to Bickland Park on March 10.

Top teams

Sept 12 – Saltash United (H)

Sept 15 – Mousehole (A)

Sept 30 – Falmouth Town (H)

Oct 7 – St Austell (H)

Oct 21 – Bodmin Town (A)

Nov 18 – Mousehole (H)

Nov 28 – Bodmin Town (H)

Dec 12 – Saltash United (A)

Feb 27 – St Austell (A)

Mar 10 – Falmouth Town (A)

Helston never got the chance to take on main title rivals Saltash United during the voided 2019/20 season, but they will host the Ashes in just their third game of the season this time around.

The Blues will play Falmouth, St Austell, St Blazey, Mousehole twice, Bodmin twice and Saltash a second time before Christmas in what looks like a very tricky first half of the season.

By contrast they are only due to face St Blazey, St Austell and Falmouth once each from January onwards.