THE Torridge Cup offers both Holsworthy and Bude Town a realistic opportunity of silverware this season, but one will be knocked out in the preliminary round after they were paired with each other.

The tie, which will be the first meeting between the two arch-rivals in several seasons, has to be played by Sunday, October 22 at Upcott Field with a trip to Shamwickshire Rovers from the North Devon League, the prize for the winners.

Holsworthy have had plenty of success in recent years, winning the competition in 2021/22 campaign before being beaten by Appledore in last year’s final, while Bude were beaten on penalties at Torridgeside in the last eight. A date for the game will be confirmed in due course.

Both clubs are in the same league in 2023/24 – the SWPL Premier West – and are due to meet on Boxing Day and Good Friday.

They are also joined in the draw by SWPL Premier East outfits Torrington and Torridgeside with the majority of the 13 clubs coming from the Devon League North/East Division and the North Devon League.

The draw for the preliminary round and first round is as follows: 

Preliminary Round (played on or before Sunday, October 22): Torrington v Park United; Witheridge v Boca Seniors; Torridgeside v Fremington; HOLSWORTHY v BUDE TOWN; North Molton v Braunton.

First Round (played on or before Sunday, December 10): Landkey Town v North Molton/Braunton; Shamwickshire Rovers v HOLSWORTHY/BUDE TOWN; Witheridge/Boca Seniors v Appledore; Torridgeside/Fremington v Torrington/Park United.