Cardiff City begin their quest to reach Nationwide League Division One with a trip to Oldham Athletic when the 2002/03 season kicks off on 10 August.

The Bluebirds, who missed out on promotion in the Division Two play-offs in May, won 7-1 at Boundary Park on their last visit and will be looking for another away win to kick their season off in style.

The trip to Lancashire will be followed by two home games - against Port Vale (13 August) and Northampton (17 August) - before they face Swindon on 24 August.

The return against the Robins is on New Year's Day at Ninian Park, with the Boxing Day fixture being a trip to newly-promoted Luton Town.

Assistant manager Ian Butterworth said: "We have to make sure we are consistent and finish in the top two of the division if we want to get promoted.

"We don't mind when we play the teams on the list, but the opening game should have some added spice after our record win there last season."

Wrexham, relegated to Division Three at the end of last season, begin their campaign with the long trip to Scunthorpe on 10 August.

They follow that with home games against Oxford (13 August) and League newcomers Boston (17 August) before travelling to Macclesfield on 24 August.

"It's a tough start, but it's good to get these games out of the way early in the season," said assistant manager Kevin Russell.

"Scunthorpe are one of the teams that have bought a few players and it looks like they're going for promotion.

"But we're quite capable of getting a result there."

New recruits

The Welsh derbies with Swansea City will be on Saturday, 14 September, at The Racecourse and Saturday, 1 March, at the Vetch Field.

The Swans, who have signed six new players over the course of the close season, begin their campaign at home to Rushden & Diamonds.

"It's nice to get a home game to start with," said manager Nick Cusack.

"Obviously it's going to be tough against Rushden and Diamonds but it's probably a good time to play them after what happened in the play-off final.

"They might still be demoralised after that disappointment."

Swansea then continue with two trips - a long one to Darlington (13 August) - and then to Bury (17 August) where new recruits Paul Reid and Matt Murphy will face their former club.