SOME of our non-league football teams in Tameside can begin to prepare for the beginning of the new season knowing who they will face in the early rounds of cup competitions.
Stalybridge Celtic and Mossley AFC have both been handed potentially tricky away ties in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 3.
James Kinsey’s Celtic will make the trip to Ramsbottom United and, if they prevail, Ossett United or Widnes will await at Bower Fold in the preliminary round on August 17.
Meanwhile, Mossley AFC travel to Lancashire to face Colne and the reward for victory for the Lilywhites would then be a home clash against either Vauxhall Motors or Eccleshill United.
Both Stalybridge and Mossley AFC need to advance through six rounds in order to reach the First Round Proper at the beginning of November, when Football League clubs enter the competition.
The prize money for winning in the extra preliminary round is £1,125, while victory in the preliminary round would boost the teams’ coffers by a further £1,444.
Stalybridge will definitely be up against Ossett United in the first qualifying round of the Isuzu FA Trophy, on Saturday, September 7 at Bower Fold.
On the same day, Dave Fish’s Mossley will be on the road to Merseyside to take on either City of Liverpool or Bootle.
The winners will receive £1,500 and advance to the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 21.
Elsewhere, Droylsden’s cup exploits will commence in West Lancashire with an away tie at Burscough on Saturday, August 24 in the Isuzu FA Vase first qualifying round.
Up for grabs for Dave Pace’s Bloods is £550 in prize money and a trip to either Maghull or Bury in the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 21.