Northwich Up First In Home Cup Kick-Off
The Blues will start their season with an FA Cup tie at home to 1874 Northwich
The Blues make an early start to their FA Cup challenge but have been handed a home tie to kick-off their campaign against 1874 Northwich.
Last season’s finish third from bottom of the BetVictor North-West Division meant a place in the draw for the extra-preliminary round of the Cup for Clitheroe.
And Phil Brown’s side was paired with North-West Counties top-flight side Northwich, who will visit Shawbridge on Saturday, 10 August.
That will be the Blues’ first competitive game under Brown with the league season kicking off a week later with a visit from Brighouse Town.
Four of the Blues’ opening five fixtures will hopefully be at home with Colne coming to town on August Bank Holiday Monday.
And two days before that is the preliminary round of the FA Cup, with the Blues drawn at home to Northern Counties East League outfits Thackley or Handsworth Parramore if they get past Northwich.
The draw for the FA Trophy has also thrown up some home comfort, with Brown’s boys entertaining BetVictor East side Sheffield FC in the extra preliminary round on Saturday, 28 September, with the winners at home to Prescot Cables.
Meanwhile, the Blues start their pre-season programme away to Nelson this afternoon (Saturday) with a 2pm kick-off.