It sounds a bit like an early Only Fools & Horses episode title where Del Boy sets up a travel company for newlyweds, but alas it’s a very ‘live’ FA Cup issue for Virginia Water’s long-serving goalkeeper Matthew Jones.
The glovesman gets married on Friday 30th August, a day before the biggest game in the Surrey side’s history – an FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie away to Isthmian League Premier Division Horsham.
You could certainly wonder at what point – as Jack Mills wheeled away after scoring a last-gasp winner against Ascot United in the previous round – it dawned on Jones he might have a difficult conversation on the horizon.
Jones though – in his tenth season with the Waters and part of the club’s rise from the Surrey Elite League to the Combined Counties League Premier Division North – will play against Horsham, a daunting prospect though it is given the West Sussex sides appearance last season in the FA Cup Second Round Proper after beating Barnsley.
Related: How to qualify for the FA Cup
Virginia Water do have squad issues going into the game. They’ve started strongly with three wins and a draw in the opening six league games but will miss Turnell Sinclair and Mills after both were sent off against Ascot, while it is understood Ryan and Billy Blake are also unavailable along with Harrison Marquez, Chris Ellis (cup-tied) and Ashley Hitchinson.
Whether it’s a Honeymoon in Horsham though is one for the happy couple, but a quick Google shows the South Lodge Hotel & Spa looks more than suitable.
The only side in the Football in Berkshire camp with a tougher ask in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round is arguably Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Lee Matthews side travel to Havant & Waterlooville (they famously played Liverpool at Anfield in the 2007/08 Fourth Round) – last season a Vanarama National League South side – but with an inkling of an upset, Havant are draw specialists in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Bracknell Town and Hungerford Town make their FA Cup bows
Elsewhere Bracknell Town and Hungerford Town both begin their 2024/25 campaigns with the Robins aiming to make it a hat-trick of First Round Proper appearances. This season’s run starts with South Park at Bottom Meadow. Bracknell have faced memorable ties against Ipswich Town and Cambridge United in the last two seasons – putting the club firmly in the national spotlight with the Ipswich tie shown live on ITV.
Hungerford host Yate Town in their fixture while Binfield travel to Lordswood of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division. The Moles best FA Cup run came in 2022/23 when they reached the Third Qualifying Round, losing 5-3 at Beckenham Town.
2024/25 FA Cup First Qualifying Round draw for Berkshire
- Horsham vs Virginia Water
- Lordswood vs Binfield
- Bracknell Town vs South Park (Reigate)
- Havant & Waterlooville vs Wallingford & Crowmarsh
- Hungerford Town vs Yate Town
The full draw for the FA Cup First Qualifying Round is here. Find out when the 2024/25 FA Cup Second Qualifying Round draw takes place.
