HEREFORD United will play Barnet at Edgar Street in their opening fixture of the Nationwide Conference campaign, which kicks off on August 18.

The Underhill club were dramatically relegated last season but will not relish a visit to the Bulls where they have not won in five league attempts.

Director of Football, Graham Turner, described it as an attractive fixture.

"It's an excellent game and one we are very much looking forward to," he said.

United face last season's FA Trophy rivals, Forest Green Rovers, who knocked them out at the semi-final stage, at home on September 4 and are away at Telford for the Boxing Day fixture with a return at Edgar Street on New Year's Day.

Hereford will be looking for a top five finish to allow them a shot at promotion in the new end of season play-offs format.

The Nationwide Conference season will conclude on April 27 next year.

Meanwhile Turner confirmed Hereford's friendly against Cardiff City on Wednesday, July 18, had been cancelled on police advice.

Fixtures - 2001-2002 season

Aug 18 Barnet Home

Aug 21 Nuneaton Borough Away

Aug 25 Stalybridge Celtic Away

Aug 27 Southport Home

Sep 1 Margate Away

Sep 4 Forest Green Rovers Home

Sep 8 Dover Athletic Home

Sep 11 Dagenham & Red Away

Sep 15 Morecambe Away

Sep 18 Yeovil Home

Sep 22 Stevenage Borough Home

Sep 29 Hayes Away

Oct 2 Farnborough Town Home

Oct 6 Leigh RMI Away

Oct 9 Chester City Away

Oct 13 Boston United Home

Oct 20 Scarborough Home

Nov 3 Woking Away

Nov 10 Doncaster Rovers Home

Nov 24 Northwich Victoria Away

Dec 1 Barnet Away

Dec 15 Nuneaton Borough Home

Dec 26 Telford United Away Dec 29 Stalybridge Celtic Home

Jan 1 Telford United Home

Jan 5 Forest Green Rovers Away

Jan 19 Margate Home

Jan 26 Southport Away

Feb 2 Farnborough Away

Feb 9 Leigh RMI Home

Feb 16 Boston United Away

Feb 23 Chester City Home

Mar 2 Yeovil Town Away

Mar 9 Dagenham & Red Home

Mar 16 Dover Athletic Away

Mar 23 Morecambe Home

Mar 30 Scarborough Away

Apr 1 Woking Home

Apr 6 Doncaster Rovers Away

Apr 13 Northwich Victoria Home

Apr 20 Hayes Home

Apr27 Stevenage Borough Away