Ross Preston in action for RCA in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round match against Garforth Town.
This Saturday, 19 August, Sunderland RCA take on Ashington in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round. As regular Northern League Division One opponents, of course, RCA and Ashington need no introduction to one another.
But what about the form of both sides so far this season? Ashington won their opening match in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at Woodhorn Lane against Ryhope Colliery Welfare courtesy of a single goal from Ben Harmison. Since then, The Colliers have played three Northern League matches, taking a point from Newton Aycliffe in a 1-1 draw, beating Team Northumbria 2-0 at home, and beating Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park on Wednesday evening, 1-0, with a very late goal - again courtesy of Ben Harmison.
RCA, meanwhile, beat Garforth Town 3-1 in the Extra Preliminary Round at Meadow Park. RCA have since also played three Northern League matches and recorded a win, a draw and a loss against Penrith, Washington and Marske United, respectively.
Last season, back in August, RCA won the first Northern League match between the sides 2-1 at Meadow Park. In the return fixture, at Woodhorn Lane, RCA surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to lose the match 3-2 as Ashington came out strongly in the second half.
So it would seem that an intriguing match between - on paper at least - two closely matched sides is in prospect on Saturday afternoon.
Admission to the match is £6 for adults and £4 for concessions.
Sunderland AFC are not in action against Leeds United at the Stadium Of Light until 5:30pm which gives football lovers the chance of an exciting double-header of FA Cup and Championship action on Saturday.
Meadow Park
Beechbrooke
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0NZ
There are 160 ties in the Preliminary Round, with a total of 12 Northern League sides in the draw. Of the 12, eight are playing each other, guaranteeing at least four Northern League teams making the First Qualifying Round.
The First Qualifying Round ties are scheduled to take place on Saturday, 2 September.