Larks looking to make higher status count on FA Cup away day

Larkhall Athletic will begin their 2026-27 season on Saturday 8th August – by visiting Oxfordshire side Kidlington in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round (3pm).

Larkhall Athletic will kick-off their new season by taking on Kidlington here at Yarnton Road | Photo © Richard Briggs

And the Step 4 Larks will be looking to make their higher status count.

The hosts, who are based just north of Oxford, are members of the Step 5 Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North.

They finished in ninth place last season, their first in the Combined Counties set-up following relegation from Pitching In Southern League Division One Central.

But in their 2026-27 league opener on Saturday 1st August, Kidlington lost 3-1 at home to North West Londoners Broadfields United.

Victory for the Larks at Yarnton Road will give them £1,125 in prize money and a preliminary-round home clash with Jewson Western League Premier Division team Portishead Town or Ardley United of Combined Counties League Premier Division North on Saturday 22nd August.

Athletic will kick-off their Southern League Division One South campaign by entertaining fallen giants Weymouth at the Camella Stadium on Wednesday 12th August (7.45pm) – subject to the Larks not having an FA Cup replay.

The Terras were in the National League – one promotion from EFL League Two – as recently as 2022.

Tickets for the league opener are available here.

While Athletic’s seniors are taking on Kidlington, Larkhall Development will play their first game of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division season.

Kick-off against Melksham Town Reserves at the Camella Stadium on 8th August will be at 3pm.

The Devs completed their programme of pre-season friendlies by recording a superb away victory over a side from two divisions higher up the pyramid.

Larkhall visited uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division outfit Bradford Town on Tuesday 28th July and prevailed 2-0.

The new Larkhall Athletic A side played their first match when they faced FC Devizes United at the Camella Stadium in a friendly on 1st August.

United, from the Trowbridge & District League, ran out 4-2 winners, Toby Brooks netting a cracker for the hosts.