FA Cup Draw 2022/23
Rugby Town have been drawn away to Westfields in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.
It will be the second time that Rugby have faced a trip to Hereford-based side Westfields in the FA Cup with Valley prevailing in a Preliminary Round tie back in 2014 when David Kolodynski scored in a 2-0 win at Allpay Park.
Valley last faced Westfields in the 2017/18 season in the Midland Football League Premier Division.
Westfields now ply their trade in the Hellenic League Premier Division (same step as Rugby) and finished seventh last season.
It is first time in nine years that Rugby have not been drawn against Midland Football League opposition in their opening FA Cup fixture.
Rugby have struggled in the last three seasons in the FA Cup with defeat in the Preliminary Round last year at Stone Old Alleynians while Valley fell at the first hurdle in the preceding two seasons with defeats to Sporting Khalsa in 2019 and Worcester City in 2020.
The last time Valley made good progress in the competition was a run to the Second Qualifying Round in 2018 with memorable wins over higher division Evesham United and Redditch United before bowing out at Butlin Road against Hednesford Town.
Meanwhile in the FA Vase, after reaching the Fifth Round Proper last season Rugby have earned a bye to the Second Round Proper this campaign meaning Valley won't enter the competition until November.
FA Cup
Valley have reached as far as the Third Qualifying Round once in recent history before existing to then-Conference North side Worcester City in 2013.
Valley
last reached the FA Cup First Round
proper back in 1993-4 nearly 28 years
ago while Rugby's best FA Cup record
came in 1987-88 and 1992-93 when they
reached the Second Round Proper.
This year's Extra Preliminary Round tie will be played at Allpay Park on Saturday 6th August 2022.
The winners of the tie will travel to either Studley or Heanor Town in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 20th August 2022. |