EMIRATES FA CUP | DREAMS START HERE

A number of our Member Clubs will be involved in the Extra Preliminary Round

The draw for the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round was made recently with a number of our Member Clubs involved at this first stage.

There are some intriguing match-ups as clubs look to launch what could potentially be a game-changing run in this famous old competition.

Over at Malvern Town, the Pitching In Southern League Division One South club has suffered more than their fair share of first hurdle falls over the past decade and are hoping that this season will be the year that they can finally put together a run.

They have been drawn at home to Hellenic League Premier Division neighbours, Hereford Pegasus.

“First and foremost, it’s always nice to get a home draw,” said The Hillsiders’ co-manager, Stephen Cleal. “It promises to be a really entertaining game against opponents who have recruited well over the summer and have bags of experience within their managerial team.

“We know that we will have to prepare correctly and not take anything for granted. It’s the job of Hoops [co-manager, Lee Hooper] and I to make sure that the lads go into the tie with the right attitude and get the job done.

“This is a brilliant competition to be involved in and like all of the clubs starting out at this stage, we hope that we can be one of those that enjoys a good run and possibly reaches the promised land of the first round proper.

“I was part of the Bishops Cleeve team that got to the fourth round qualifying in 2005/06 where we narrowly lost to Eastbourne Borough and that run still brings back plenty of happy memories for me.

“I am determined to create some FA Cup memories as a manager and hopefully this will be the year to start!”

Other ties involving our clubs are, as follows: Evesham United v Newcastle Town | Stansted v Biggleswade FC | Leverstock Green v Baldock Town | MK Irish v Welwyn Garden City | Witham Town v Hertford Town | Cockfosters v Kings Langley | Real Bedford v St. Neots Town | West Essex v Enfield | Basildon United v Hadley | FC Clacton v Leighton Town | Kempston Rovers v Brightlingsea Regent | Barton Rovers v Saffron Waldon Town | Tuffley Rovers v Kidlington | Flackwell Heath v Aylesbury Vale Dynamoes | Cinderford Town v Nailsea & Tickenham | Thame United v Aylesbury United | Highworth Town v Bishops Cleeve | Roman Glass St. George v North Leigh | Yate Town v Holyport | Northwood v Ashford Town (Middlesex) | Melksham Town v Welton Rovers | Thatcham Town v Christchurch | Bournemouth v Shaftesbury | Hamble Club v Westbury United | Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Brockenhurst | Paulton Rovers v Bashley | Falmouth Town v Torpoint Athletic | Exmouth Town v Street | Ilfracombe Town v Tavistock AFC | Barnstaple Town v Helston Athletic | Willand Rovers v AFC St, Austell | Bideford v Bridgwater United.

The ties will be played on Saturday, August 3rd and there will be replays should they finish level after 90 minutes.

The winning clubs each take £1,125 from the prize fund, with the losers taking £375.