By Matt Friday/Cornwall Sports Media.

Falmouth Town have announced a challenging set of pre-season friendly fixtures ahead of the 2022/23 season - the eagerly-anticipated return to the Western League.

Andrew Westgarth's side, who will compete in the Western Football League Premier Division for the first time since the 1982/83 season, will play three friendlies at Bickland Park and three away from home against teams from four different divisions.

Falmouth begin the pre-season programme on Saturday, July 2, with a trip to Langsford Park to face newly-promoted Southern League Division One South side Tavistock. Stuart Henderson's charges will make their debut at Step 4 this coming season after winning the Western League last term.

The first home game of pre-season comes seven days later when Truro City visit Bickland Park for the annual Aubrey Wilkes Trophy match, with Paul Wotton's side looking to retain the trophy they lifted 12 months ago.

That is followed by a trip to South West Peninsula League Premier West outfit Wadebridge Town on Wednesday, July 13. Town faced Paul Rowe's side twice in the league last term, beating the Bridgers 7-2 at their Bodieve Park home before triumphing 4-2 in the reverse game at Bickland.

The team are back at Bickland Park three days later when SWPL Premier East side Sidmouth Town makes the journey down from east Devon. The most recent meeting with the Vikings saw town win 5-2 at their Manstone Lane home in the Walter C Parson League Cup second round last October.

The penultimate friendly fixture sees town renew acquaintances with St Blazey as they visit Blaise Park on July 20. The Green and Blacks, now managed by Ryan Fice, were the only team to defeat them in the league last season, winning 3-2 at Bickland Park in February, before they exacted revenge in the reverse fixture in April, triumphing 2-0 on that occasion.

Pre-season is rounded off on home soil on Saturday, July 23 with another tricky test against Southern League Division One South outfit Willand Rovers. The Silver Street side, managed by Russell Jee, recently completed their first full season at Step 4, finishing 15th in the division.

Pre-season friendlies

Saturday, July 2: Tavistock (A) 3pm

Saturday, July 9: Truro City (H) 3pm

Wednesday, July 13: Wadebridge Town (A) 7.45pm

Saturday, July 16: Sidmouth Town (H) 3pm

Wednesday, July 20: St Blazey (A) 7.45pm

Saturday, July 23: Willand Rovers (H) 3pm