Oakham United have been drawn away at Kirby Muxloe of the Midland Football League Division 1 in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on 31 August.

The FA Vase is the premier knockout competition for Step 5-7 clubs in the non-league pyramid and replaced the old Amateur Cup in 1974.

It is a competition which stretches throughout the season with the final at Wembley in May 2020.

As Oakham play at Step 7 and Kirby Muxloe at Step 6, our local team will be considered the underdogs. However, anything can happen in cup competitions.

Oakham United's best run in the Vase was in the 2016/17 season when they reached the first round proper by winning in the first qualifying round away at Gedling Miners Welfare and beating Retford United, who were then a Step 5 club, at home in the second qualifying round.

This is the third season that Oakham United will have played in the FA Vase. Apart from the Retford United game, they have been drawn away in every match.

There will no doubt be some supporters travelling from Oakham. The Supporters' Club is