IT may be a long way from the Wembley showpiece, but Silsden kick off their FA Cup campaign this weekend.

Danny Forrest's side travel to City of Liverpool in the prestigious trophy's extra preliminary round on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

They will be hoping to advance to the preliminary round on Saturday, August 25.

The Merseysiders finished fourth in the Premier League last season and, in this season's opening league fixture, they beat last season’s FA Vase semi-finalists, 1874 Northwich, 6-3, away from home.

Silsden will welcome the return of Dan Illingworth on Saturday but marksman Aidan Kirby’s return will be a week later.

Silsden go into their FA Cup clash following a steady start to the season.

Forrest himself came off the bench to earn a 1-1 draw at Squires Gate on Saturday. This was followed up with the same scoreline against Charnock Richard on Tuesday night, also in Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

The Cobbydalers, under pressure for much of the game, were denied their first victory of the season when they conceded a late equaliser against Charnock Richard, who had finished sixth in the Premier League last year.

The visitors were soon on the offensive when Ashley Stott hit a dangerous cross into the Silsden area. Reece Lyndon headed clear.

Silsden’s first effort was a header from Luke Rhodes which cleared the bar and then Matty Moses hit a dangerous cross into the Charnock area, Connor King punching it clear.

The visitors should have opened the lead on 20 minutes when Lyndon mistimed a header to Callum Jakovlevs, his only mistake of the game, but Carl Grimshaw lobbed it over the bar.

Josh Kaine denied Grimshaw with a superb tackle, before Alex Ralph broke through two tackles but shot wide. Stott then squandered another opportunity and Grimshaw shot over.

For all their dominance, the visitors had lacked the killer touch. Indeed, the opener almost came from a back pass from Rhodes which Jakovlevs allowed to slip under his foot. Fortunately he had time to recover and the game was goalless at the break.

Regan shot wide at the start of the second half and Moses made a timely interception to break up another attack.

At the other end, Lee Spires shot wide before Jakovlevs made a superb save to prevent Grimshaw from netting the opener.

A minute later Silsden were in front when Niall Sultan whipped over an in-swinging cross. The visitors defence froze, expecting the ball to go over the goalline to safety, but Spires slid it home at the far post.

The Cobbydalers grew in confidence but the visitors still created chances.

Grimshaw’s next effort bounced off Jakovlevs chest but Regan blasted the rebound over the bar.

Grimshaw then sent over a cross which only needed a header wide of the keeper.

Ashley Young headed straight into the midriff of Jakovlevs. Forrest came on for Spires with five minutes to go. On Saturday, the manager had netted the equaliser, but his introduction was followed immediately by a goal for the opponents.

Kaine, who had been superb at the back, conceded a corner. The ball was whipped in. Grimshaw lost his marker and headed home the equaliser with three minutes left. It could have been worse as Regan hit the post after more pressure and then substitute, Jacob Higham, headed wide.