Chance for revenge as Stratford Town draw Royston in FA Trophy

STRATFORD Town have been handed the chance of revenge after being paired with Royston Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The Bards bowed out of last year’s competition at the same stage to their Southern Premier Central rivals, going down 2-1 away.

But this time Stratford will have the home advantage after today’s draw was made.

The tie is due to be played on Saturday 8th October.

Stratford, sixth in the table, sit one point and four places above Royston in the standings.

The Bards have not won a game in the Trophy since 2018-19 when they came through three rounds in their best-ever run to play then-National League Premier side AFC Fylde in the first round.

Other Midlands ties include: Leiston v Evesham United; Gainsborough Trinity v Barwell; Loughborough Dynamo v Worksop Town; Coalville Town v Ilkeston Town; Nuneaton Borough v Hinckley LR; Needham Market v Stourbridge; Hitchin Town v Redditch United; Spalding United v Stafford Rangers; Belper Town v St Ives Town; AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Tamworth; Bromsgrove Sporting v Chasetown; Matlock Town v Sutton Coldfield Town; Stowmarket v Mickleover; Basford United v Harborough Town; Bedford Town v Alvechurch; Rushall Olympic v Hednesford Town.

Town are in Southern Premier Central action tomorrow night (Tuesday) when they travel to Ilkeston Town for the first league meeting between the sides.