FOOTBALL FA COMPETITIONS AFTER last season s dramatic championship decider against Needham Market, Soham Town Rangers could find themselves facing the same opponents in the 2008/2009 FA Cup. If Needham overcome Thetford Town in the Extra Preliminary Round

FOOTBALL

FA COMPETITIONS

AFTER last season's dramatic championship decider against Needham Market, Soham Town Rangers could find themselves facing the same opponents in the 2008/2009 FA Cup.

If Needham overcome Thetford Town in the Extra Preliminary Round, they will travel to Julius Martin Lane on August 30 in the Preliminary Round of the competition.

The winners of that tie will then entertain either Spalding United, Yaxley or Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the First Qualifying Round on September 13.

Soham's promotion to the Step Four Southern League Midlands Division means that they are eligible to compete in the FA Trophy for the first time, starting with a Preliminary Round tie - again at home - versus Redbridge on October 4, with Witham Town visiting the winners in the First Qualifying Round two weeks later.

Ely City meanwhile travel to Sleaford on August 16 in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, and the winners of that tie will then be away to either Diss or Walsham le Willows in the Preliminary Round two weeks later.

If Ely manage to progress to the First Qualifying Round on September 13, they will entertain either Debenham LC, Dereham Town or Stamford.

In the FA Vase, City travel to Haverhill Rovers in the first qualifying round on September 6, with the winners hosting Long Melford a fortnight later.

FRIENDLIES

RIDGEONS League Premier Division side Ely City have four friendlies lined up between July 22 and August 1.

The travel to Kershaw Premier League side Needingworth United on July 22 at 7.45pm, and on the Saturday entertain Swaffham Town at the Unwin Ground 3pm.

On Tuesday, July 29, they have a derby clash with Soham Town Rangers at 7.45pm, and then on August 1 make the short trip to Newmarket Town to face the team whose place they took in the Premier Division.

TRANSFER NEWS

SOHAM Town Rangers midfielder Peter Hinde has left the club after 10 years to join neighbours Ely City.

Hinde - a former club captain who made his final appearance as substitute in the final game victory over Needham Market that secured promotion - made 296 appearances for Rangers, scoring 33 goals.

He has suffered injury problems in the last couple of seasons, but has been a great servant to the club in the last decade.

"We are sorry to lose him," said Soham boss Ian Benjamin, "and he leaves with our best wishes."

Ely manager Dennis Lightning is understandably pleased with his new acquisition as he looks forward to consolidating City's position in the Ridgeons Premier Division following last season's promotion.

"Peter Hinde will provide the leadership and experience we will need next season," said Lightning, "and we are delighted to have signed someone of his quality."

Ely are resigned to losing Dave Daniels who is moving to a club nearer his home, but report that most of last season's squad have signed again, despite several of them being offered more money to go elsewhere.

Pic cap: Soham Town Rangers stalwart Peter Hinde, pictured left alongside Paul Jones in training, is moving to Ely City.

Photo: HELEN DRAKE. 5999HD0708.