MALMESBURY Victoria may no longer be plying their trade at step six of the non-league pyramid, but the Flying Monk ground outfit are gearing up for the road to Wembley.
After withdrawing from the Hellenic League over the summer, the cash-strapped club dropped down a step to the Wiltshire League and seemingly ineligible for FA competitions.
However, despite no longer being a step six club, the Vics have remained in the FA Vase and will host Hellenic Premier Division Bracknell Town in second round qualifying, on October 4.
Vics secretary Julie Exton explained: “When we informed the FA that we had withdrew from the Hellenic League, they said that we could not be in the FA Cup but we could remain in the Vase this season as we had already been accepted.
“So we are now hosting Bracknell next month and hopefully it should be a good day.
“With the team now being made up of all Malmesbury men and lads, we already get decent crowds for our league matches - hopefully we could get a few more for the Vase tie.”
HIGHWORTH Town drew 2-2 at Holyport last night, while, Cirencester Town bowed out of the FA Cup as Shortwood United won 1-0 in extra time of their first qualifying round replay.
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