The FA Trophy gets underway on Saturday with the preliminary round, and Farsley face a frighteningly similar scenario to the FA Cup.

Being drawn at home against a club from your own division (Evo-Stik Division One North) should not be a cause for concern, but Farsley failed last time out.

They host Radcliffe Borough in the Trophy just a week after having home advantage over Ossett Albion in the cup.

Albion, who are below Neil Parsley’s men in the league table while Radcliffe are just above them, escaped with a draw in that tie and won the replay last Tuesday night.

Farsley will be doubling their efforts to ensure their standards do not drop again this weekend.

On the lower steps of the pyramid system, the FA Vase is in full swing at the second-qualifying round stage, and four of the local semi-pro sides are in action.

As with other FA competitions, there is a heavy presence of north-eastern clubs mixed with the Yorkshire sides.

Thackley have home advantage in their clash with Celtic Nation who, being in the Northern League top tier, are at the same step on the non-league ladder.

The clubs are both mid-table in their respective league’s having the same average of 1.5 points per game.

Silsden are also at home but their visitors Northallerton Town are from the second division of the north-east set-up.

The Cobbydalers should be favourites but Northallerton have had a good start to their season so are a form team.

It will be the first involvement in an FA competition at non-league level for Albion Sports, who are in their second season in the Baris Northern Counties East Division One.

As new boys, they were not eligible for the FA Cup or Vase last term but come into the latter after qualifying with a fourth-placed league finish on their debut season.

Fate has been kind to Albion. They were fortunate to have a bye in the first qualifying round and have been handed a tie against a side from their equivalent level in Esh Winning. However, Albion are on the road.

Liversedge are also making the journey north as they head to Shildon.

Sedge set off like a train this season and were joint leaders of the Northern Counties East Premier Division at one stage but they are beginning to run out of steam so Saturday's outcome is definitely in the balance.