Helston Athletic will host Saltash United in an all-Cornish affair in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase after the draws for the first two rounds of the competition were published on Friday, writes Matt Friday.
The first qualifying round, which will be played on Saturday, August 27, features teams at Step 6 (South West Peninsula League level), and Step 5 (Western League level) of the English National League System.
Barring a handful of clubs who are exempt until the first round proper, all clubs will begin their campaign in either the first or second qualifying round, depending on the outcome of Friday’s draw.
Newly-promoted Western League side Falmouth Town host former South West Peninsula League colleagues St Austell in the only all-Cornish game in the first qualifying round, with Bodmin Town entertaining Western League Division 1 side Odd Down.
The other six Cornish first round entrants all face opponents from Devon, with Newquay heading to Bovey Tracey and St Blazey going to Elmore in two all-SWPL ties.
There are two other SWPL derbies on the Cornish side of the border, with Dobwalls welcoming Elburton Villa to Lantoom Park while Wadebridge Town play host to Cullompton Rangers.
SWPL duo Godolphin Atlantic and Camelford are both at home to Western League opposition, with the G facing Barnstaple Town while the Camels entertain Ilfracombe Town.
The first qualifying round winners will advance to the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 24, when most of the remaining clubs will enter the competition.
Second qualifying round
Helston’s clash with Saltash at Kellaway Park is the headline act of the second qualifying round, with their fellow Western League side Torpoint Athletic welcoming SWPL outfit Wendron United to The Mill.
Millbrook open their account with a home match against SWPL Premier East side Ivybridge Town, while Mousehole make the trip to Shepton Mallet in an all-Western League affair.
Last season’s SWPL Premier West runners-up Liskeard Athletic begin with a trip to Western League Division 1 side Bishops Lydeard, while Launceston will start their campaign away at the winners of Falmouth’s game with St Austell.
Callington Town begin with a home tie against either Wadebridge or Cullompton, with Godolphin Atlantic being rewarded with another home game against Axminster Town if they can see off the challenge of Barnstaple.
Bodmin’s own reward for beating Odd Down will be another game at their Priory Park home against Radstock Town or Newton Abbot Spurs, with Newquay also on home soil against Welton Rovers if they get past Bovey Tracey.
Dobwalls will be entertaining Torrington should they beat Elburton Villa, while the winner of Camelford’s game at home to lfracombe Town will host the winner of St Blazey’s game at Elmore.
First qualifying round winners will earn £550 while the losers receive £160. Second qualifying round winners will collect £725, with losers receiving £225.
Bude Town, Mullion, Penzance, Sticker and St Dennis are the only Cornish SWPL sides not to have entered the Vase.
There will be no replays in the FA Vase this season. These format changes have been made, according to the FA, “to ease some pressure on the fixture schedule and to assist clubs and leagues in meeting all fixture commitments”
First qualifying round draw (Cornish teams)
Bodmin Town v Odd Down
Bovey Tracey v Newquay
Camelford v Ilfracombe Town
Dobwalls v Elburton Villa
Elmore v St Blazey
Falmouth Town v St Austell
Godolphin Atlantic v Barnstaple Town
Wadebridge Town v Cullompton Rangers
Second qualifying round draw (Cornish teams)
Bishops Lydeard v Liskeard Athletic
Bodmin Town or Odd Down v Radstock Town or Newton Abbot Spurs
Bovey Tracey or Newquay v Welton Rovers
Callington Town v Wadebridge Town or Cullompton Rangers
Camelford or Ilfracombe Town v Elmore or St Blazey
Dobwalls or Elburton Villa v Torrington
Falmouth Town or St Austell v Launceston
Godolphin Atlantic or Barnstaple Town v Axminster Town
Helston Athletic v Saltash United
Millbrook v Ivybridge Town
Shepton Mallet v Mousehole
Torpoint Athletic v Wendron United
[Featured image: Colin Bradbury / Cornwall Sports Media]