Nottinghamshire FA has made, and published, the opening round draw for their men’s, and women’s County Cup competitions, along with those sides receiving byes to the next round.
In their flagship, Saturday Senior Cup, last season’s winners, Nottingham Forest U21s, and runners-up Basford United, along with the other six quarter-finalists in Carlton Town, Clipstone, Eastwood CFC, Radford, Rainworth Miners Welfare, and Sherwood Colliery, will enter the competition in the second round.
Back in mid-May, Forest picked up a 2-0 win over Basford, the pair having seen off the challenges of Eastwood and Clipstone respectively, in the semis.
In the Women’s County Cup, holders Basford United, alongside other, higher-ranked clubs, also come in at a later round – Basford defeat Arnold Eagles Flyers 5-0 in last seasons’ final.
The opening of the women’s competition sees an interesting match-up between the second strings of Notts County and Mansfield Town, whilst ten sides have received byes into the next round.
NOTTS FA SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND (to be played up to 21 September)
Southwell City vs. Retford United; Newark Town vs, Stapleford Town; Dunkirk vs, Notts County U21s; Retford vs, AFC Mansfield; Kimberley Miners Welfare vs, Clifton All Whites; Gedling Miners Welfare vs. West Bridgford; Selston vs, Hucknall Town; Newark & Sherwood United vs. Mansfield Town Academy
NOTTS FA WOMEN’S COUNTY CUP FIRST ROUND (to be played 15 September)
University of Nottingham Women vs. Arnold Eagles Development; Cotgrave Ladies vs, Keyworth United Ladies; Shirebrook Rangers Women vs. Sherwood Women Development; Blidworth Welfare Ladies vs. Underwood Villa Ladies; Notts County Women Reserves vs. Mansfield Town Ladies Development; Arnold Town Women vs. West Bridgford Colts Women Development
In the Senior Trophy competition, and the plethora of sides taking part, six have been afforded byes to the next round; these are Ashland Rovers, Blidworth Welfare, Collingham, FC Sez, FC Cavaliers, and Ravenshead.
Of the ties drawn, an interesting one sees two of the Cotgrave clubs colliding, the Reserves down as the home side when facing the Seniors, whilst their Devs make the trip to Teversal; Ollerton, relegated last season, host Elston United, Linby CW host Arnold Reserves, and there’s a home game for Newark & Sherwood as they welcome Stapleford Reserves.
Defending champions, Wollaton, who defeated Keyworth United 4-1 in last season’s final, host Eastwood & Kimberley; and, of the remaining sides in the opening round draw are that of Red Sea, who’ll host FC Cavaliers Reserves, with an interesting back seas, you can read more of them here
NOTTS FA SENIOR TROPHY FIRST ROUND (to be played 5 October)
Dunkirk AFC vs. Aslockton & Orston; Ravenshead Reds Youth vs. Blidworth Welfare Reserves; Awsworth Villa vs, Wollaton Reserves; Calverton Miners Welfare vs. Toton Tigers Youth; Keyworth United vs, Hucknall Town Reserves; Teversal vs, Cotgrave Development; Collingham Reserves vs. Pass Move Grin; Gedling Southbank vs. Bridon; Arnold Town vs. Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves; Woodthorpe Park Rangers vs. AJ Sport Development; AFC Parabellum vs. Beeston Old Boys Association; East Leake Robins Reserves vs. Bilborough TRD; Beeston Reserves vs. Mansfield Hosiery Mills; Beeston vs. AJ Sport; Ollerton Town CFC vs. Elston United; AC United vs. Kirton Brickworks; Linby Colliery Welfare vs. Arnold Town Reserves; Greyfriars vs. RHP Sports & Social; Ashland Rovers vs. Bingham Town; Newark & Sherwood United vs. Stapleford Town Reserves; Red Sea vs. FC Cavaliers Reserves; Cotgrave Reserves vs. Cotgrave; Trent Vineyard vs. Awsworth Villa Reserves; Wollaton vs. Eastwood & Kimberley; Ruddington Village vs. West Bridgford Colts IIs; FC Pelican vs. Notts Olympic
Other cup competitions will see Poets Young Boys look to defend the Sunday Senior Cup (defeated Shire Athletic 3-2), Beeston Cosa Nostra won last season’s Sunday Trophy (1-0 against Gedling Inn), and Retford Veterans will look to retain the Veterans County Cup (beat Stapleford Vets 2-0)
Information regarding cup draws, and other business relating the Notts FA, can be found via their website here
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NottsFA 2024 winners Nottingham Forest U21 who beat Basford in the final.
