IT may only be August, but the FA Cup is here already.

Ramsbottom begin their campaign at home to Thackley tomorrow in the Extra Preliminary Round and manager Mike Kelly has this week been on a spying mission.

He took the opportunity to go and watch the Northern Counties East side after his side's match against Squires Gate was called off after the tragic death of one of their players.

"I was quite impressed with Thackley," he said. "From what I have seen they are well-organised, there are no individual stars but they work hard for each other.

"We played them in the FA Vase a few years ago and won 4-3 after extra time but not many of their players are still there from then."

The Rams are a long way even from the first qualifying round - there is another preliminary round to play after this one - but they know they can pick up vital funds if they reach the early qualifying stages.

"We only get about £500 for winning this match but it is £7,500 for winning in the first qualifying round.

"It feels different when it's the FA Cup but we still prepare in the same way."

The NWCL Division One side are on course to meet second division Chadderton at home in the next round and then would meet either Prescot Cables or UniBond side Witton Albion after that.

Meanwhile Nelson begin their FA Cup campaign against a team they are quite familiar with.

Norton and Stockton Ancients may not be a household name but the Blues have the lowdown on their Northern League opponents after meeting them in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase last season.

Then they forced a 2-2 draw after extra time in Teesside and then Kiko Rodriguez scored a hat-trick at Victoria Park to see them through to the next round.

Kiko may be long gone from Nelson, but John Bailey's side have another star striker on their books who he hopes will turn on another good show at Victoria Park tomorrow.

Carl Howarth, a former Everton trainee, has scored three goals in their two opening victories - a great start to their NWCL Division Two campaign.