Home draws in both FA competitions

Walthamstow have been handed home ties in both of this season’s FA competition openers.

And there’s an air of similarity for both ties, as each will be against a Isthmian Division One North rival, and both of which have just earned promotion from the Eastern Counties League.

In the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, Stow will host Brantham Athletic, who won the Eastern Counties Premier last season. They pipped Fakenham Town to the title by just two goals, after both sides finished on 79 points. That game will be played on 2 August 2025 at Wadham Lodge.

The winners will be away to a side who Stow have played 31 times in their history, Barton Rovers.

In the FA Trophy, Stow will host Downham Town, who were promoted from the Eastern Counties after defeating Walsham Le Willows 2-1 in the play-off final. They finished the league season just a point behind champions Brantham.

It will be the first time Stow have played either Brantham or Downham, and both will prove tough contests, with clubs promoted from the Eastern Counties almost always faring well at step 4.

In the FA Youth Cup, Stow will be away to Heybridge Swifts.