SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: WARMINSTER Town face a crunch relegation battle with fellow Screwfix Direct League First Division outfit Calne Town at Weymouth Street on Saturday 8 December.

Just two points separate the Wiltshire rivals at the foot of the table following Warminster's fine 1-0 win at Larkhall Athletic on November 24 and both sides are eager to climb away from the relegation zone as the games come thick and fast over the festive period.

Calne are without an away point in seven games on their travels this term, while Andy Crabtree's side have yet to win a home match.

Warminster will go into the game looking to avenge a 4-0 drubbing at Bremhill View on October 2 and manager Crabtree believes victory is crucial for his side.

He said: "It is so important for us. Our season hinges on this one because a win would take us off the bottom.

"It will be a tight game and is probably more important to us than it is to Calne.

"They've got games in hand and we need to beat all the sides directly above us to have a chance.

"We've got a score to settle after the game at their place. If we approach it like we did the Larkhall match then we'll get our just desserts. Every game from now on means a lot."

Calne manager Paul Rankin said: "Warminster seem to be improving and beat Larkhall in their last outing.

"We beat them 4-0 a couple of months ago but I expect there have been a few changes in both sides since then.

"The three points against Warminster is just as important as three points against anybody. A draw is probably the result neither side wants."

Warminster, whose daunting Les Phillips Cup trip to Elmore was called off due to a waterlogged pitch on Saturday, have another home match against Weston St Johns on Tuesday night, kick off 7.30pm.

Crabtree celebrated his first victory in charge of Warminster when his side defeated the North Somerset outfit 3-2 on September 29 thanks to a Dave Dredge hat-trick.

He said: "The two home games give us a chance. We've already beaten Weston St Johns, so we've got to approach the game in a confident manner."

Devizes Town will begin an awesome December fixture programme at the unusual time of 7.30pm tomorrow night.

The Nursteed Road outfit, without a game at the weekend, were so keen to return to action on Saturday they agreed to play Yeovil Town Reserves at Huish Park after the Somerset side's first team game against Doncaster Rovers.

The two sides met on the opening day of the season, with Devizes emerging 2-1 victors thanks to a double strike from Barry Flippance.

Devizes manager Brian Newlands believes playing so close to a first team match will prove to be in his side's best interests.

He said: "The game was scheduled for 3pm, but their first team wanted to bring a game forward because of games at Christmas.

"It suits us better because, with a rearranged game in midweek, they'll probably have all their stars out.

"On Saturday, the 16 or 17 they have on the teamsheet from the Conference game won't be playing."

Devizes face a home clash with fifth placed Backwell United on Tuesday night after gaining a handy 0-0 draw in North Somerset in August.

Said Newlands: "I'd settle for four points from the two games, the same as earlier in the season.

"We've got to be looking at getting something out of both matches with the games we have coming up."

Striker Simon Price will return from suspension for the Backwell clash and Newlands hopes to have Julian Alexander fit for a daunting Christmas schedule.

Said Newlands: "Backwell will be tough on Tuesday and over Christmas we've got Dawlish twice, Bideford, Taunton and Melksham, who are going really well.

"You couldn't hand-pick a worse set of games, although I've got a funny feeling we'll play better against those sort of sides from near the top of the table."