GFA Challenge Cup & Trophy draw: City await winners of Cribbs vs Cleeve; Shortwood, Ciren, Slimbridge & Tuffley to host local derbies
The opening rounds of the GFA Senior Challenge Cup and Challenge Trophy have been published, with plenty of local action to enjoy over the coming months.
In the Senior Challenge Cup, holders Gloucester City have a bye to the Second Round, when they will head to the winners of Cribbs vs Bishops Cleeve – which if Cleeve win, would see a repeat of last season’s Semi Final and Final for the Mitres.
Elsewhere in the cup, there is a Bristol derby with Bristol City U23s drawn at home against Bristol Rovers Development in the First Round, whilst Bristol Manor Farm will welcome Forest Green in their First Round tie.
In the Challenge Trophy, Hellenic League One sides, Shortwood United and Stonehouse Town, will face off at Meadowbank for a second time this season – following Stonehouse’s 1-0 win in the league in midweek. The winner of that First Round tie will head to Hartpury University in the Second Round.
The winner of Slimbridge vs Lydney Town will play host to the winner of Cirencester Town vs Longlevens, whilst Cheltenham Saracens will head to the winner of Tuffley Rovers vs Brimscombe & Thrupp.
Newent and Fairford have both been given byes into the Second Round, where they will meet at Wildsmith Meadow.
In the “Bristol half of the draw” Tytherington Rocks will host the winner of Oldland Abbotonians vs AEK Boco, whilst Roman Glass St George will face Hallen in the First Round, with a trip to Shirehampton the reward for the winner.
The dates for the County Cup ties are to be confirmed, but usually take place as the season rolls into winter.
GFA Senior Challenge Cup First Round
Bristol Manor Farm vs Forest Green Rovers
Bristol City U23s vs Bristol Rovers Development
Cribbs vs Bishops Cleeve
GFA Senior Challenge Cup Second Round/Quarter Finals
Cinderford Town vs Yate Town
Cribbs/Bishops Cleeve vs Gloucester City
Bristol Manor Farm/Forest Green Rovers vs Cheltenham Town Reserves
Bristol City U23s/Bristol Rovers Development vs Mangotsfield United
GFA Challenge Trophy First Round
Shortwood United vs Stonehouse Town
Cirencester Town vs Longlevens
Tuffley Rovers vs Brimscombe & Thrupp
Slimbridge vs Lydney Town
Avonmouth vs Chipping Sodbury Town
Bitton vs Cadbury Heath
Oldland Abbotonians vs AEK Boco
Longwell Green Sports vs Thornbury Town
Hallen vs Roman Glass St George
Bristol Telephone vs Cribbs Reserves
GFA Challenge Trophy Second Round
Tuffley Rovers/Brimscombe & Thrupp vs Cheltenham Saracens
Slimbridge/Lydney Town vs Cirencester Town/Longlevens
Newent Town vs Fairford Town
Hartpury University vs Shortwood United/Stonehouse Town
Shirehampton vs Hallen/Roman Glass St George
Tytherington Rocks vs Oldland Abbotonians/AEK Boco
Avonmouth/Chipping Sodbury Town vs Bitton/Cadbury Heath
Longwell Green Sports/Thornbury Town vs Bristol Telephones/Cribbs Reserves
