Saturday 5th August 2023 see’s the opening weekend of the 23/24 season, and it’s a bumper FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round effort to get us started.
On Saturday there’s a plethora of fixtures but it is Wokingham & Emmbrook who extend the weekends FA Cup fun into Sunday with the visit of Cinderford Town to Lowther Road.
The Sumas potentially have one of the tougher assignments of any Berkshire side in the FA Cup at the weekend against the Gloucestershire side who were relegated from the Southern League last summer.
Since 1995, Cinderford were a Step 4 side but finished 19th of 20 last season with relegation the outcome.
While the Sumas will look to capitalise on a relegation hangover they will be without one of last seasons stars after Sam Mead was confirmed as departing the club.
Read more: Windsor now a two-club town while Bracknell Town and Binfield rebuild – Dave Wright’s season preview
Speaking of Saturday as we were, Sandhurst Town are the only side within the official Berkshire boundary when they mark their FA Cup return by hosting VCD Athletic at Bottom Meadow.
Stretching that boundary as of course we like to do, North Hants Tadley Calleva host Alton Town at Barlows Park while Virginia Water bring Risborough Rangers to Stag Meadow.
Live commentary of Reading City’s trip to Slimbridge is available via Severn Sport here.
A full list of all the weekends FA Cup ties as well as those across Vanarama National League, Southern League and Combined Counties League is here.
Check out the full FA Cup Preliminary Round draw here.
Listen to Football in Berkshire’s pre-season podcast
A full list of clubs competing in the FA Cup this year is here. Want to know how clubs qualify for the FA Cup?
