West and Longridge Town face off in the opening round of the 2022/23 FA Cup, with a trip to Squires Gate or Northwich Victoria on offer to the victors.

Key details

� Saturday 6th August 2022, 3pm
� FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
� The Recyling Lives Ground, Longridge, PR3 2NA
� £6 / £4 / 12-18 y/o £1 / U12s free
� Preston station (9.2 miles)
� Replay at West on Tuesday 9th August if scores are level at full time

Preview

This will be our inaugral meeting with Longridge Town, but the first of two in quick succession – we’re due to make a repeat journey on Saturday 17th September on league business.

West’s tails should be up following Tuesday’s comeback win at home to Prestwich Heys, and both sides are unbeaten in the league so far this season. However, Longridge are already playing catch-up in terms of games played, after their midweek trip to Burscough was scuppured by an administrative issue at the Linnets. That meant Lee Ashcroft’s side were unable to follow up their notable opening-day win at home to Congleton Town.

After winning the First Division North 2018/19 in their debut NWCFL season, Longridge recorded an impressive 6th place “finish” in the aborted 2019/20 campaign. In comparision, last season’s 12th position may have been something of a disappointment, but the Ribble Valley side have made a series of acquisitions in an attempt to regain their momentum – including luring former Squires Gate goal-getter Dean Ing from Northern Premier League side Colne.

We have yet to progress past the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup in eight attempts, falling to Avro at the first hurdle last season. Longridge made it all the way to the 3rd Qualifying Round in 2020/21 before being edged out by Skelmersdale United, though they also suffered an early exit last term as they bowed out against Northwich Victoria.

Selected other FA Cup ties

Abbey Hey v Congleton Town
Barnoldswick Town v Albion Sports
Colne v 1874 Northwich
Glossop North End v Emley
Hallam v Bury AFC (on Sunday)
Irlam v Avro
Lower Breck v Penistone Church
Ossett United v New Mills
Prescot Cables v Ashton Athletic
Prestwich Heys v Litherland REMYCA
SIlsden v Burscough
Skelmersdale United v Padiham
Squires Gate v Northwich Victoria
Thackley v Ramsbottom United
Thornaby v Kendal Town
Trafford v AFC Liverpool
Whitchurch Alport v Vauxhal Motors
Winsford United v Widnes
Wythenshawe Town v Macclesfield (at Macclesfield)
Yorkshire Amateur v Charnock Richard