FA Cup: Worcestershire non-league sides all set for opening round

Some have already kicked off their 2022/23 league campaigns - Malvern Town and Worcester Raiders - but for the majority of the Worcestershire sides at Step 4 and 5, it all begins this Saturday in the extra-preliminary round of the prestigious tournament.

The pick of the ties is the local derby between Worcester City and Malvern Town but there are plenty of other mouthwatering clashes for our sides.

#FACup EP Rd tie preview@MalvernTown1946 v @WorcesterCityFc

Met once before in FA Cup way back in 1980/81 season with City winning 2-0 in a replay in what was the Hillsiders first Cup campaign.

Then, City were in a higher league, now both clubs play at Step 5#FACupFactfile

— FA Cup Factfile / Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile) August 4, 2022

Worcester Raiders are in the competition for the first time and they have been handed a tough looking draw, an away trip to Step 4 side Daventry Town.

#FACup EP Rd tie preview@DaventryTownFC v @WorcsRaidersFC@HellenicLeague Raiders are making debut in FA Cup hoping to cause a #Cupset at @NorthernPremLge Daventry (& maybe set up a Prelim Rd tie v Worcester City).

Daventry lost vs only other debut club faced.#FACupFactfile

— FA Cup Factfile / Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile) August 4, 2022

Stourport Swifts are making the short trip across the county border to Herefordshire to take on Hereford Pegasus in their opening round match, whilst Chris Cornes' Bewdley Town are at Racing Club Warwick.

@HerefordPegasus v @StourportSwifts

First FA Cup clash between these 2 Step 5 clubs. @HellenicLeague Pegasus return to FA Cup after 7 years having exited in EP Rd in their last 3 campaigns; @MidlandLeague Swifts went out in EP Rd in both the last 2 seasons.#FACupFactfile

— FA Cup Factfile / Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile) August 4, 2022

#FACup EP Rd tie preview@RCWFC v @BewdleyTownFC

First FA Cup clash between these 2 @MidlandLeague Premier clubs.

Bewdley have exited FA Cup in EP Rd in each of their last 5 campaigns; the Racers have done so twice in the last 4 seasons.#FACupFactfile

— FA Cup Factfile / Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile) August 4, 2022

If the two Worcestershire sides taste success, they will meet in the next round (the preliminary round).

Evesham United are also in the draw and they have been tasked with a home tie against Hinckley LR at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.

#FACup EP Rd tie preview@EveshamUnitedFC v @HinckleyLRFC

First FA Cup clash between these 2 Step 4 clubs.

Competing in FA Cup for 50th time the Robins have never exited in EP Rd, but neither has Hinckley LR FC in their 5 campaigns.

Something's gotta give!#FACupFactfile

— FA Cup Factfile / Phil Annets (@FACupFactfile) August 4, 2022

All ties above are 3pm kick-offs on Saturday afternoon.

FA rules state that replays can take place if an agreement between the two clubs involved is made. Replays would take place next Tuesday or Wednesday.