CHESTER FC have been handed a long away trip to kick-off the 2012-13 season.

The Blues will travel to Oxford City for their first match in Blue Square Bet North on Saturday, August 18 (3pm).

Oxford won promotion from the Southern Premier League play-offs last season but were accepted into the northern section of the Conference’s second tier.

The opening-day clash will require Blues supporters to make a 300-mile round trip to Oxford’s Marsh Lane stadium.

Chester’s first home clash will be against Workington on Wednesday, August 22.

They make the short trip to Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday, October 30 and host their Ellesmere Port neighbours for the return meeting on Saturday, February 23.

Neil Young’s men welcome Droylsden to the Exacta Stadium on Boxing Day. They complete the campaign with an away match at Worcester City on Saturday, April 27.