Flackwell Heath and Burnham on potential collision course in the FA Cup

The preliminary and first qualifying rounds of the main FA competitions have been drawn this week, throwing up some interesting local ties.

With the key dates for this season's road to Wembley already marked out, the famous FA Cup competition kicks off on Saturday, August 3, with four of our local sides - Holyport, Flackwell Heath, Ascot United and Burnham - all in action.

More than 220 extra preliminary qualifying matches are set to take place in early August, with replays then scheduled for teams who can't be separated after 90 minutes.

The preliminary round matches will then take place on Saturday, August 17 before the first qualifying round of the competition on Saturday, August 31.

Adam Hopkins' first competitive game as Holyport boss is set to be the trip to Yate Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup. Should they get through that, they'll be on the road again in the preliminary round to either Tuffley Rovers or Kidlington on August 17.

Flackwell Heath and Burnham could be on a collision course in the FA Cup if they both win their extra preliminary round matches.

The Heathens have been drawn at home to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos on August 3, while Burnham are set to host Corsham Town. Should both win, Flackwell would then host Burnham at Wilks Park on August 17 for a place in the first qualifying round.

Ascot United are set to host Milton United in the extra preliminary round of the competition before visiting either Virginia Water or Brimscombe & Thrupp on August 17 should they come through that first tie.

The remaining qualifying rounds will take place throughout August, September and October, with Maidenhead United of the National League set to enter the competition at the fourth qualifying round stage on Saturday, October 12.

As they have done for the past few seasons, Alan Devonshire's team will be seeking to make it to the first-round proper of the competition at least on Saturday, November 2, when teams from EFL Leagues 1 and 2 enter the draw.

Slough Town of the National League South will enter the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage on Saturday, September 14, and the FA Trophy at the second-round proper stage on Saturday, November 16.

Teams from the Championship and Premier League will enter the competition from the third round on Saturday, January 11, and next season's final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 17.

The FA Vase and FA Trophy Finals will take place on Non-League Finals Day on either May 10 or May 11, and this date will be confirmed during the season.

Alongside the FA Cup draw, the draws for the opening rounds of the FA Vase and FA Trophy were also made on Friday.

Ascot United are set to travel to Ashford Town (Mddx) in the preliminary round of the Trophy on Saturday, August 24, and would then host Mertsham in the first qualifying round on September 7 should they come through that.

Flackwell Heath are set to enter the Trophy in the first qualifying round with a trip to either Farnham Town or Erith Town on September 7.

In the FA Vase, Holyport are set to host Hillingdon Borough in the first qualifying round on Saturday, August 24, and will visit Crawley Green in the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 21 should they beat Hillingdon.