THE OLDEST and most famous football competition in the world will come to Slimbridge for the first time when Wimbourne Town visit Wisloe Road for an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Slimbridge will make their debut in the competition against the Wessex League side in what will be their first competitive match of the season.

Wimbourne are experienced cup campaigners, having first entered the FA Cup in 1982/83.

The Magpies did once reach the first round of the competition proper where they lost to then Football League side Aldershot.

In 1992 they even had a memorable day at Wembley when they beat Yorkshire side Guiseley 5-3 in an epic FA Vase final.

Slimbridge can expect some terrific financial rewards if they can progress through some of the qualifying rounds.

However, they will need to get through at least four more qualifying rounds if they are to make the first round proper and a possible tie against the likes of Bristol City, Swindon Town or even former European Cup winners Nottingham Forest.

One boost that Slimbridge should receive, albeit probably not in time for their FA Cup tie, is the imminent return of Matt Green.

Green rejoined Shortwood United during the summer in a mass exodus that also included Craig Cole, James Darby, Jon Embling and Rich Evans.

However, he has subsequently indicated his wish to return to Wisloe Road.

Slimbridge secretary David Phillips told the Gazette: "Matt Green is presently subject to a seven day notice and should be rejoining us, although he is unlikely to be involved in the FA Cup tie."

l Should the game end level after 90 minutes a replay will be held at Wimbourne on Tuesday evening (7.45pm kick-off). If the replay is not required then Slimbridge will welcome Fairford Town to Wisloe Road for a Hellenic Premier game instead (7.45pm kick-off).