The FA Cup is back!

Tuffley Rovers will go into Emirates FA Cup action on Saturday afternoon, as they host an unfamiliar opponent, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, in the Extra Preliminary Round of the 2023/24 competition.

Neil Mustoe’s squad competed in a first Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division fixture, away at Worcester City, on Tuesday evening and returned with a valuable point from a 0-0 draw, whilst their opponents in the FA Cup tie lost their opening league game 2-0, against Dunstable Town.

Aside from the boost in confidence from a hard fought draw, Rovers’ battling display will count for little when they host Dynamos, with the two sides never having met before, meaning they are entirely unfamiliar opponents.

The Aylesbury side aren’t unfamiliar to all Hellenic League clubs, though, and although the club is relatively new (in its current guise), having formed in 2019 through the merger of Aylesbury Vale and Bedgrove Dynamos, they have already faced opponents familiar to Rovers in three of four years that they have competed in the FA Cup.

In 2019/20 they drew 1-1 at Royal Wootton Bassett Town, before triumphing 1-0 in a replay; then in 2021/22 they pushed Longlevens hard before losing 1-0. They gained revenge the following year, when they hosted Longlevens and won 3-2. They then defeated Bristol Manor Farm before losing a thrilling 1st Qualifying Round tie at Yate Town 4-3.

Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm at Glevum Park.