LOCAL sides have begun plotting the fanciful route to Wembley after the FA released the draws for the early rounds of its national competitions.
In the FA Cup, Melksham Town and Bradford Town begin their campaigns in the country’s most famous cup competition by taking on United Services Portsmouth away and Fareham Town at home respectively, whilst Royal Wootton Bassett Town also face opposition from the Sydenhams League in the extra preliminary round as they go to Andover Town.
In the FA Trophy, Chippenham Town could be on course for a trip to local rivals Salisbury in the first qualifying round – should the Wiltshire outfit overcome Hereford – whilst Frome Town go to Shortwood United or Evesham United.
Corsham Town host US Portsmouth and Westbury United are at home to Folland Sports in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase but Chippenham Park and Warminster Town have been given away trips – they go to Alresford Town and Romsey Town respectively.
Melksham Town, who host New College Swindon, and Calne Town, who meet Roman Glass St George, enter the competition at the second qualifying round stage.
Devizes Town will host Corsham, if they beat US Portsmouth, whilst Bassett host Thame United or Tadley Calleva.
Bradford, who reached the fourth round proper of the Vase last term before they were knocked out by Hartley Wintney, have been handed a bye to the second round proper this season.
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND (Saturday, August 6)
Andover Town v Royal Wootton Bassett
Bradford Town v Fareham Town
United Services Portsmouth v Melksham Town
FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND (Saturday, September 10)
Alresford Town v Chippenham Park
Corsham Town v United Services Portsmouth
Romsey Town v Warminster Town
Westbury United v Folland Sports
FA VASE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND (Saturday, September 24)
Calne Town v Roman Glass St George
Devizes Town v Corsham Town or United Services Portsmouth
Melksham Town v New College Swindon
Royal Wootton Bassett v Thame United or Tadley Calleva
FA TROPHY FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND (Saturday, October 29)
Salisbury or Hereford v Chippenham Town
Shortwood United or Evesham United v Frome Town
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