The draw for the FA Youth Cup was made earlier today with Rushden & Diamonds U18's receiving a home tie against Raunds Town in the Preliminary Round. The game is scheduled to be played at Nene Park during the week commencing 8 September 2008.

Last season, wins over Rothwell Town, Kettering Town, Stotfold, Grays Athletic and Aldershot Town saw Paul Driver's youngsters reach the Third Round Proper where they lost to Colchester United.

The draw was also made for the three Qualifying Rounds as follows:

First Qualifying Round: Rushden & Diamonds / Raunds Town v Leighton Town

(week commencing 22 September).

Second Qualifying Round: Arlesey Town / Sileby Rangers / Thrapston Town v Rushden & Diamonds / Raunds Town / Leighton Town

(week commencing 6 October).

Third Qualifying Round: Rushden & Diamonds / Raunds Town / Leighton Town / Arlesey Town / Sileby Rangers / Thrapston Town v Stotfold / Brackley Town / Bugbrooke St.Michaels / Kettering Town / Rothwell Corinthians / Northampton Spencer

(week commencing 20 October).

Confirmation of these Cup dates will be published via the website as soon as possible.

Rushden & Diamonds Youth Fixtures for the 2008/09 season have also been released. This season, sixteen teams will compete in the Puma Youth Alliance / South East Combination, with newcomers Aldershot Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Millwall also competing for the title which was won by QPR last year.

Abbreviations are as follows: PYA/SEC = Puma Youth Alliance Under 18 - South East Combination; PYAC = Puma Youth Alliance Cup - Southern Section; FAYC = FA Youth Cup; MYC = FA Midland Youth Cup.

All home game are played on Pitch 2 or 3 at Nene Park - 11am kick off unless otherwise stated

Competition details as follows:

PYA/SEC = Puma Youth Alliance Under 18 - South East Combination

Sixteen teams comprising: Aldershot Town; Barnet; Brentford; Brighton & Hove Albion; Colchester United; Dagenham & Redbridge; Gillingham; Leyton Orient; Luton Town; Millwall; Northampton Town; Peterborough United; Queens Park Rangers; Rushden & Diamonds; Southend United; Wycombe Wanderers.

[Note - Each team will only play 22 League fixtures - Rushden & Diamonds do not play Aldershot Town, Colchester United, Gillingham, Millwall (Home); Brighton & Hove Albion, Dagenham & Redbridge, Leyton Orient, Southend United (Away)]

PYAC = Puma Youth Alliance Cup - Southern Section

[Group Stage - 4games, followed by the knock out competition]

FAYC = FA Youth Cup

[476 entries - Rushden & Diamonds enter at the preliminary Round, with three Qualifying Rounds before the First Round Proper]

MYC = FA Midland Youth Cup

[16 entries]