For the FA Cup proper, Extra Preliminary Round we have a local home tie at Sixways Stadium against Midland Football League Premier side Stourport Swifts. Stourport host a good record of competing in this competition. Last year they made it through the Extra Preliminary round beating higher tier opposition Coventry Sphinx. Before being draw again to higher ranked opposition in the next round, Hanley Town. The first tie at Hanley ended in a 1-1 draw, which forced a replay back to Walshes Meadow where they were eventually beaten, narrowly.

As for Raiders, we will be looking to move into the next round as per last season also. Where in our first round tie against Belper United at Sixways Stadium, we came away 3-2 winners courtesy of goals from Isaac Cooper, Bailey Fuller and Jordan Stoddart.
In the following round, we faced an away trip to Shifnal Town where we were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by the host's, and at the same time made our exit from the competition.

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round - Stourport Swifts
Saturday August 3rd. 3PM Kick Off at Sixways Stadium.

The other draw today was for the FA Vase, a competition for sides competing at Step 5 and 6 of the non league pyramid, with a chance to reach Wembley Stadium for the final, the prize. Again we will have a home tie in the competition, facing Staffordshire side Eccleshall FC, from the North West Counties division.
Raiders made it into round 3 of the FA Vase last season, beating Abbey Hulton United 2-1, in round 1. Then fellow Hellenic League side Westfields 3-1 away from home. Before a disastrous night at Whitchurch Alport followed, and we were badly beaten 7-0 by the hosts.

FA Vase First Round Qualifying - Eccleshall
Saturday August 24th. 3PM Kick Off at Sixways Stadium

Finally, we are very excited by the introduction of our new U18 Floodlit team this season, the FA Youth Cup awaits for them, also for the very first time. Manager Ben LaCroix's young side were in the hat this morning. Picking out an away tie to AFC Bridgnorth, who competed in the Midland Floodlit Youth League, Western Division last season.

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round - AFC Bridgnorth
Ties to be Played Week commencing 2nd September 2024

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