Valley Draw Barton Town in FA Cup

Rugby Town have been drawn away to Northern Counties East League Barton Town in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying.

Valley booked their place in this round thanks to Saturday's 3-0 win over Midland Football League Premier side Stone Old Alleynians at Butlin Road in the Preliminary Round after seeing off another MFL side Wolverhampton Casuals away in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Barton Town are based just south of Hull on the most northern tip of Lincolnshire and play at Step Five in the non-league pyramid as per the last two FA Cup opponents.

The Swans, who were previously called Barton Old Boys, have made it through to the First Qualifying Round for the first time since the club formed as part of a merger in 1995.

Barton have defeated Newark Town (UCL North) and Northampton Old Northamptonian Chenecks (UCL South) in the previous rounds.

The game will be played at Barton's Marsh Lane ground on Saturday 31st August with a replay if required at Butlin Road on Tuesday 3rd September.

Last season Rugby won two ties in the FA Cup, both against Step Four opposition, in the shape of Malvern Town and Newcastle Town before losing to Barwell in the First Qualifying Round.

The last time Rugby made it to the Second Round Qualifying was in 2022 when Southern League Premier Central side Basford United ended Rugby's run.

The best run in recent years was 11 years ago when Rugby reached as far as the Third Round Qualifying before exiting to then-National League North side Worcester City in 2013.

Valley last reached the FA Cup First Round proper back in 1993-4 over 30 years ago while Rugby's best FA Cup record came in 1987-88 and 1992-93 when they reached the Second Round Proper.