FA CUP: Home start for Bluebirds (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

FA CUP: Home start for Bluebirds

1:29pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Sport By Owen Houlihan

NATHAN Rudge's Chippenham Town have been drawn at home in the first qualifying round of the 2012-13 FA Cup.

The Bluebirds, thrown out of last year's competition after fielding the ineligible Curtis Jack, will face either Mangotsfield United, Bitton or Bristol Manor Farm on the weekend of Saturday, September 8.

Town lost £3,000 in prize money after playing Jack in the 3-0 first qualifying round win over Wells City last September when he was subsequently found to have been ineligible.

Darren Perrin's Frome Town have been drawn away, with Larkhall Athletic, Willand Rovers or Bridgwater Town the opposition.

Most of the county's sides start their cup campaign on August 11, with Corsham, relegated to the Toolstation League First Division, facing a tough trip to Hellenic League Highworth Town.

Wootton Bassett Town face Calne Town, while Bradford Town must travle to Alton Town in Hampshire.

Melksham Town, promoted to the Toolstation League Premier Division, are also on the road first up and go to Longwell Green Sports in Bristol, while Pewsey Vale travle to Wessex League rivals Bournemouth.

The winners of those two ties will meet in the preliminary round on August 25.

FA CUP

Extra preliminary round draw: Highworth Town v Corsham Town, Wootton Bassett Town v Calne Town, Alton Town v Bradford Town, Longwell Green Sports v Melksham Town, Bournemouth v Pewsey Vale All ties to be played on Saturday, August 11.

Preliminary round: Highworth Town or Corsham Town v Shortwood United, Bournemouth or Pewsey Vale v Longwell Green Sports or Melksham Town, Wootton Bassett Town or Calne Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins or Hamworthy United, Winchester City v Alton Town or Bradford Town.

All ties must be played on Saturday, August 25.

First qualifying round: Chippenham Town v Mangotsfield United or Bitton or Bristol Manor Farm, Winchester City or Alton Town or Bradford Town v Yate Town or Poole Town, Wootton Bassett Town or Calne Town or Bemerton Heath Harlequins or Hamworthy United v Highworth Town or Corsham Town, or Shortwood United, Sholing or East Cowes Victoria or Verwood Town v Bournemouth or Pewsey Vale or Longwell Green Sports or Melksham Town, Larkhall Athletic or Willand Rovers or Bridgwater Town v Frome Town.

All ties must be played on Saturday, September 8

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