A rare local derby between Harpenden Town and St Albans City will take place next Thursday as the Harps gear up for their first season in the Spartan South Midlands Premier League.

Danny Plumb’s side start their season with a Herts Charity Cup tie with Sun Sports on July 29, and will welcome the Saints to Rothamsted Park as they step up preparations for the campaign.

Plumb said: “St Albans have said they are going to send a first-team squad, and they have some quality players so it is going to be a tough test.

“I really hope the town can turn out to give them a great welcome here.

“We have a string of away cup ties so it would be nice to see the fans turn out on Thursday night to warm us up for the season ahead.”

Following their Sun Sports tie, the Harps will travel to Southall in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on August 5, having won comfortably at Reynolds Field last season.

The club’s league fixtures are yet to be announced.