EMIRATES FA CUP | EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

The road to Wembley begins already with a number of Member Clubs involved

We may only be a few days into August, but the 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup competition gets underway this weekend, a road which leads to the Final at Wembley Stadium on May 17th.

It is unlikely that any of our Member Clubs will be involved in the final, but each of them will be hoping to create their own stories in this season’s competition and embark upon a run which can deliver so much both on and off-the-pitch.

A number of our clubs are involved in the Extra Preliminary Round. At this stage, the tie will go to a replay during the course of the week ahead if it finishes level after 90 minutes in the first game.

There are a number of mouth-watering encounters, including Tavistock’s trip to Devon rivals, Ilfracombe Town, who ply their trade a level below in the Western League Premier Division.

“It’s always a tough place to go,” admitted Tavistock manager, Stuart Henderson, to his club’s media. “It’s a tight ground and the pitch is on a slope; they will be bang up for it, as you would expect, so it’s going to be a difficult first hurdle for us.

“They’ve already played two competitive games, so we are under no illusions about the task in hand. We won’t be able to just turn up, we have to go there with the right attitude to get the job done.

“It’s important to get through these early rounds and then see if we can get ourselves on a bit of a run.

“We’ve had a good pre-season overall; we’ve brought in a number of new players and the squad needs to gel.

“There’s a few unavailable at the moment, but I think that over the next few weeks, with a few more available again, we’ll be better in terms of squad depth than we were this time last year.”

Other Southern League participation sees Helston Athletc also travel to Western League Premier Division opposition in Barnstaple Town. Barton Rovers host Saffron Walden Town, whilst Hadley head to Basildon United.

There’s home advantage for Bemerton Heath Harlequins as they take on Brockenhurst, whilst Bideford AFC welcome a Bridgwater United outfit who are expected to challenge for promotion into the Southern League during the course of the campaign ahead.

New-boys, Shaftesbury go to Bournemouth whilst Cinderford Town host Nailsea & Tickenham. Hitting the road will be Kings Langley, who go to Cockfosters.

Home ties have been handed to Evesham United, who take on Newcastle Town, Exmouth Town, who entertain Street and Falmouth Town who welcome Torpoint Athletic.

A trip to the seaside awaits Leighton Town as they go to FC Clacton, whilst Flackwell Heath host Aylesbury Vale Dynamoes. It’s a trip to Hamble Club for Westbury United as Bishops Cleeve go to Highworth Town.

Leverstock Green lock horns with Baldock Town and there is a local derby at Malvern Town as they take on Hereford Pegasus from the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Home advantage is also with Melksham Town as they take on Welton Rovers, meanwhile Welwyn Garden City go to MK Irish and Northwood entertain Ashford Town (Middlesex).

New-look Bashley are on the road as they take on a Paulton Rovers outfit who were relegated out of Division One South at the end of last season.

Moving into the Southern League this season are Real Bedford and they welcome St. Neots Town. North Leigh go to Roman Glass St. George and Biggleswade FC travel to Stansted.

There is sure to be a hard-fought encounter at Thame United as they lock horns with Aylesbury United as Thatcham Town will be hoping to progress at the expense of visitors, Christchurch.

The final batch of games sees Kidlington go to Tuffley Rovers and Enfield head to West Essex. Devon outfit, Willand Rovers, welcome their Cornish rivals, AFC St. Austell as Hertford Town make the trip to Witham Town and finally Yate Town welcome Holyport.