THE preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup – the world's oldest and most famous knockout competition – includes three of the area's semi-professional clubs this weekend.

Albion Sports and Liversedge have had to battle through the extra preliminary round to earn their place, while Brighouse Town and other Evo-Stik League clubs join the competition at this stage.

With many clubs from lower steps on the football pyramid still in the draw, BRIGHOUSE have been unfortunate to have been handed a tie at Evo-Stik Division One North rivals Bamber Bridge.

The Preston-based outfit are top of the table after two wins from two games and are one of just three clubs with a 100 per cent start in the league.

Vill Powell's side have taken three points from a possible six and will be keen to bounce back from a 5-0 reverse in the north east in midweek against Evo-Stik League newcomers South Shields.

ALBION'S unbeaten Toolstation Northern Counties East League start came to an end with a midweek home defeat to Maltby Main in the Premier Division.

The Lions had won two and drawn one of their previous three competitive fixtures this term before Wednesday night.

Kulwinder Sandhu's men have home advantage in tomorrow's tie but they face tough opponents in Northern League side Newton Aycliffe.

It will be a second trip to this part of West Yorkshire recently for Aycliffe as they visited LIVERSEDGE for a pre-season friendly, winning 3-1.

Sedge also have a tough tie, making the short journey to Brighouse's league rivals Ramsbottom United.

The Lancastrians have won one and drawn one, so are above Brighouse in the embryonic table. Sedge are battle-hardened in the cup, however, after edging through in a home replay win against Armthorpe Welfare.