FA Cup derbies awaiting Silsden (From Keighley News)

FA Cup derbies awaiting Silsden

12:00pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport By Sportsdesk

The draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup with Budweiser have been made, and Silsden are involved in a big local derby.

The Cobbydalers will host Brighouse Town, from the Baris Northern Counties East League Premier Division, in the extra-preliminary round on August 11.

Local interest will be highest for whoever wins the clash because the victors’ reward is a home tie against either Eccleshill United or Glasshoughton Welfare, who were promotion rivals last season in the division below Brighouse.

Whoever qualifies out of Silsden, Brighouse, Eccleshill or Glasshoughton would then be at home against Evo-Stik Premier Division outfit North Ferriby United.

Winners of the extra-preliminary round will bank a £1,000, while the prize-money for a victory in the preliminary round is £1,750.

A win in the first qualifying round would bring a windfall of £3,000, making a significant total of £5,750 for successfully negotiating the first three rounds.

In the FA Vase, Silsden come in at the second qualifying round stage and have a home tie against Northallerton Town.

If the Cobbydalers progress, they would also have home advantage in the first-round proper against one of four Northern League clubs.

Meanwhile, Silsden boss Chris Reape expects the same old problems with postponements in the coming season – despite extensive work on their Keighley Road ground.

The pitch has been dug up and work done on drainage as the Cobbydalers look to reduce the number of call-offs that blighted them last season.

But Reape warned: “I think we will always have trouble because of where the ground is. It just needs the river to swell and we are under water.”

The Silsden manager is looking forward to the new campaign, which is fast approaching due to the early August 4 start to the North West Counties League Premier Division.

But he recognises the work the committee continue to do to raise the resources needed to sustain the club at their current level.

“We don’t have the money that some clubs in our league have but the people here work tirelessly to bring in revenue and we have great support from the public,” said Reape.

“The club came a long way before I got involved and I feel that in the three years I have been here there has been progress. The support is mounting again.”