Mixed fortunes in cup draws
Reds experienced mixed fortunes when the early rounds of the FA cup competitions were made on Friday.
In the Emirates FA Cup, it was a case of déjà vu when we were drawn away to the winners of the Newcastle Benfield v. Knaresborough Town tie – the two sides we knocked out in last season’s competition.
Those two will meet in the Extra Preliminary Round with the eventual winners hosting us on Saturday 24 August.
We enter the competition a round earlier this term following our relegation but, last season, we disposed of Benfield in a replay before recording a 4-1 success at Knaresborough.
The prize money, for winners and losers this season, would be £2,890 for going through or £960 as losers.
Our FA Trophy campaign will also commence at the Preliminary Round stage and we have been drawn away to league rivals, Droylsden. That tie is scheduled for 12 October, a month before we go there in the league.
Once again, prize money is split – £2,250 for the winners and £750 for the losers.
We did receive a home tie in the FA Youth Cup, however. Reds U18s will host Hebburn Town in the Preliminary Round – the third time the clubs will have met in this competition in the past four years. That tie will be played during the first week in September.
