PROGRAMME ARTICLE 1516 Number 2

The Extra Preliminary Round of The FA Cup features 26 Midland Football League Clubs, all hoping of a big payday further down the line. There are eight all MFL ties so that we are at least guaranteed 8 sides through to the Preliminary Round which will be held on August 29th. In the past the FA have made draws through to the First Qualifying Round at the same time as the Preliminary Round draws. This year, those sides lucky to make it through to the next stage will have to wait to find out who they will play. The First Qualifying Round sees the inclusion of sides from Step 3 so a chance for our teams to compete with the likes of Barwell, Halesowen Town, Ilkeston, Mickleover Sports, Rushall Olympic, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield Town, Bedworth United, Kettering Town or Redditch United. The early stages of the FA Cup may not excite a lot of people but imagine Lye Town at home to Stourbridge, Hinckley AFC vs Barwell, Walsall Wood vs Rushall Olympic, Boldmere St Michaels v Sutton Coldfield Town, Bromsgrove Sporting vs Redditch United, Heanor Town vs Ilkeston FC, Rocester vs Mickleover Sports or Coventry Sphinx vs Bedworth United. All of these games would pull in the locals and give our teams a chance to compete with those from 2 or three steps higher. If those games came to pass, I would be favouring the MFL sides in a number of them. This weekend sees the start of full fixtures in Division 2, Division 3 and our Reserve Divisions. Please give all of these clubs your support - they will appreciate it and you will be highly entertained in the process.