SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: SCREWFIX Direct League clubs in Wiltshire are hoping to draw bumper crowds over the festive period as the fixture computer once again gives local football fans a mouthwatering selection of matches to look forward to.

The most notable clashes come on Boxing Day. Melksham Town and Devizes Town do battle in the Premier Division's Wiltshire derby while, eight miles away, Calne Town entertain First Division neighbours Corsham Town at Bremhill View.

Local pride is sure to be at the forefront of each of the respective managers' minds on Wednesday, but all four clubs are in need of league points for different reasons as the games come thick and fast over the next week.

Devizes have proved to be something of a loose cannon this term after securing a seventh place finish on their return to the Premier Division last season.

Brian Newlands' side handed Dawlish Town their first home defeat of the season on Saturday and hammered Paulton Rovers in October, but have also slipped to heavy defeats at the hands of both Team Bath and Backwell United in an inconstant opening to the campaign.

They go into the Christmas fixtures as the Screwfix Direct League's highest placed Wiltshire side, a target manager Newlands set them for the end of the season after Chippenham's elevation to the Dr Martens League last term.

Devizes begin a tough period of matches with the visit of title-chasing Bideford on Saturday. The Devon side are the league's only unbeaten club and have yet to drop a point on their travels this season.

Newlands hopes his side can follow up their unexpected three-point haul at Dawlish with another victory on Saturday.

He said: "We need to go out there and battle. They are going to be beaten at some stage and have had some lapses along the way. We'll just give it our best shot and take what comes."

Devizes, who also face Taunton and Dawlish for a second time between now and early January, make the short trip to The Conigre on Boxing Day to take on local rivals Melksham, kick off 1pm.

The sides emerged with a win apiece from their league encounters last term, although Devizes did knock their rivals out of the FA Cup.

Melksham have recovered from a dreadful start to the season and have suffered only three defeats in the last 18 matches. They sit three points behind Devizes and have two games in hand.

Despite their relative league positions, Newlands is insisting Melksham will go into the clash as favourites.

He said: "In a local derby, pride is everything. We want to be the top side in Wiltshire and so do they.

"If we finish above Melksham at the end of the season then I'm confident we will be in the top six or seven, which is no mean feat.

"They might have had a poor start, but Robbie Lardner has made them a really hard side to beat.

"They don't give you an inch and are a solid side. He has a good balance there because they are capable of scoring goals as well.

"I know a few of their players and they will be very compact. They seem to be fairly consistent, while we are inconsistent and that is why I would class us as underdogs going into the game."

Melksham boss Lardner is expecting a tough encounter but is quietly confident of victory. He said: "They've got some good individual players and it will be a tough match for us.

"Last year we didn't do as well as we would have liked against them but I've got a better squad this year.

"They are dangerous and are blowing a bit hot and cold. Any side that has Barry Flippance up front has got a chance. He scores goals for fun and will always be a threat.

"It is all on the day with these sort of matches and it could come down to who eats less of the Christmas pudding."

Lardner is playing down the importance of the clash and is aiming for a decent return from his side's Christmas fixtures in order to climb into the top half of the table.

He said: "The Boxing Day game won't decide who will finish as the top Wiltshire club and is another game in a tough Christmas for us.

"We've done well lately. We might be one of the lowest scoring sides in the league, but we have also got one of the best defensive records. That just about sums us up.

Melksham travel to Bridgwater Town on Saturday looking for a repeat of their 3-2 FA Vase success at Fairfax Park in October.

Said Lardner: "Trevor Senior is a wily old pro and has just taken over there, so I expect they'll have some new faces.

"We'll go there full of confidence, although Bridgwater is a hard place to go and get anything despite the fact their league position isn't very good at the moment."