Fixtures released for FA Cup, Trophy and Vase competitions

Burnham will host Holyport in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on August 2. Photo: Jonathan Biss

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Fixtures for the early rounds of the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase were released by the Football Association on Friday afternoon, with national cup football swinging into action in less than a month.

The FA Cup extra preliminary round kicks off on Saturday, August 2, and has thrown up a cracker of a tie with Burnham to host Holyport at the 1878 Stadium.

The FA Trophy Preliminary Round kicks off on Saturday, August 23, the same day as the first qualifying round of the FA Vase (August 23).

After their relegation from the National League, Maidenhead United will now enter the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage along with National League South rivals and neighbours Slough Town.

In the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, league rivals Burnham and Holyport will face off against each other for a place in the preliminary round of the competition. The winners will visit Ardley United on Saturday, August 16.

The two teams finished sixth and eighth in the Combined Counites Premier Division North last season, both missing out on the play-offs by a handful of points. Port have since replaced manager Adam Hopkins with club stalwarts Dan Rapley and Lee Ovens. Burnham will head into the season with Mo and Omar Bakali in charge, with the pair having taken over from Ben Murray midway through the last campaign.

Matty Angell’s Windsor & Eton face a long trip in the opening round after being drawn away to Portishead Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Should they win, the Royalists will host either Corsham Town or Slimbridge on August 16.

Also joining the competition at the Preliminary round stage are Flackwell Heath, who’ll host Hartpury University or Tuffley Rovers at Wilks Park on August 16.

Mark Bartley’s Marlow have also been handed a home draw against Binfield or Winslow United at Oak Tree Road.

On the same day, Ascot United will host the interestingly named Faversham Strike Force or Chislehurst Glebe.

Our local teams will enter the FA Cup at the following stages. Ascot United (Preliminary Round); Burnham (Extra Preliminary Round); Holyport (Extra Preliminary Round); Marlow (Preliminary Round); Maidenhead United (Second Qualifying Round); Reading (First Round Proper); Slough Town (Second Qualifying Round); Windsor & Eton (Extra Preliminary Round)

Marlow enter the FA Trophy at the preliminary round stage this season with a home game against Three Bridges on Saturday, August 23.

Should the Blues win they’ll visit Ascot United at the Racecourse Ground in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 6.

Flackwell Heath are on the road in their opening Trophy fixture with a trip to AFC Porchester in the first qualifying round on September 6.

Maidenhead United and Slough Town will enter the competition at the second qualifying round stage on Saturday, September 14.

The road to Wembley in the FA Vase kicks off on Saturday, August 23 with first qualifying round matches.

Holyport host Everett Rovers and Langley - under new manager Mick Woodham - visit Rothwell Corinthians.