THE manager of Chard Town, Steve Ritchie, is looking forward to the visit of Yeovil Town on Wednesday, July 16, for a pre-season friendly.

Screwfix League side Chard are gearing-up for the big match at Zembard Lane and Ritchie claims the town is 'buzzing' about hosting the newly-promoted Football League outfit.

Although Yeovil will have completed their four-game tour of Belgium and Germany, plus a friendly at Chippenham Town on July 14, the match at Zembard Lane in Chard will give Glovers' fans a real chance of getting a look at the team in readiness for the start of the Football League season on August 9.

And Ritchie, who was once on the Glovers' playing books, said: "We are all really looking forward to it and I hope as many Yeovil supporters will come along. It should be a good evening.

"It is going to be a big game for us as Gary Johnson (Yeovil manager) has told me that he is going to bring his first-team squad.

"But we won't be going out there expecting to be hammered. We want to put on a good show, try and get a result and give a decent account of ourselves. My players are well up for it."

And Ritchie added: "Although it is only a friendly, Chard is really buzzing at the moment about this match and it is going to be like a cup final for us. The preparations have been going on for a few weeks now.

"Hopefully it will be a good game for us and a good work out for Yeovil. We obviously want to give Yeovil a good game because hopefully they might want to come and play us again in a friendly. This game should attract a big crowd and obviously earn us some much-needed money."

The match has been declared all-ticket with prices set at £5 for adults and £3 for children. Anyone wanting further information should contact Chard Town FC on 01460-61402.

Yeovil Town FC's pre-season schedule is as follows:

Friday, July 4: Sporting Lokeren v Yeovil Town, Lebbeke Stadium, Belgium, 7.30pm kick-off.

Sunday, July 6: Oberhausen Kick v Yeovil Town Landwehr Stadium, Germany, 3.00pm kick-off.

Monday, July 7: Royal Antwerp v Yeovil Town, Wuzwzell Stadium, Belgium, 7.00pm kick-off.

Wednesday, July 9: Geminal Beerschot v Yeovil Town, Wijnegem Stadium, Belgium, 6.00pm kick-off.

Monday, July 14: Chippenham Town v Yeovil Town, Hardenhuish Park, Chippenham.

Wednesday, July 16: Chard Town v Yeovil Town, Zembard Lane, Chard.

Saturday, July 19: Yeovil Town v Brentford, Huish Park, 3pm kick-off.

Tuesday, July 22: Yeovil Town v Preston North End, Huish Park, 7.45pm kick-off.

Thursday, July 24: Dorchester Town v Yeovil Town, Avenue Stadium, Dorchester.

Tuesday, July 29: Yeovil Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Huish Park, 7.45pm kick-off.

Friday, August 1: Yeovil Town v Brighton, Huish Park, 7.45pm kick-off.

Monday, August 4: Tiverton Town v Yeovil Town, Ladysmead Stadium.