EVESHAM United and Pershore Town enter the FA Cup at the earliest stage, the extra preliminary round, this weekend, with the two sides facing opposition from Staffordshire.

Evesham United will welcome Newcastle Town to The Spiers and Hartwell Stadium on Saturday (August 3). Like the Robins, Castle play their football in step 4 of non-league, in the Northern Premier League Division One West. 

Newcastle Town reached the preliminary round of last year's tournament, after a 5-1 hammering from Rugby Town.

The Robins ended their pre-season on Saturday (July 27) with a 3-3 draw against Redditch United. July was a difficult month for United, with three draws and three losses from their six matches. 

The club will receive £1,125 in prize money and a visit to either Westfields or Daventry Town on Saturday, August 17, should they beat Newcastle.

Pershore will open their FA Cup run with a journey to the Staffordshire border to take on Kidsgrove Athletic at Hollinwood Road on Saturday (August 3).

This season is the first time The Plums have competed in England's premier cup competition in 15 years after an admin error prevented them from entering last season.

The Grove endured a difficult 2023/24 season, winning just 10 of their 38 matches in the Northern Premier League Division One West.

The Staffordshire side reached the first qualifying round of the FA Cup before a surprising 2-0 defeat to step 5 side Lincoln United ended their dreams of a cup run.

Pershore's pre-season was a mix of highs and lows. Losses against Stratford and Worcester were followed by victories against Evesham and Newent. Their final friendly, a seven-goal thriller against Malvern, ended in a 3-4 defeat for the Plums.

A victory for Pershore would see the club £1125 richer and give them another trip on the road, to either AFC Wulfrunians or Atherstone Town. Both sides play in the Midland Football League Premier Division, step 5 of non-league, giving The Plums a good chance at reaching the first qualifying round.