HALSTEAD Town have been handed a trip to play Ilford in the extra preliminary round of this season’s FA Cup.

The Humbugs will travel to East London to face their Essex Senior League opponents on September 2, hoping to make progress in the competition.

Mark McLean’s side also face a trip to the capital in the FA Vase, after being drawn to play at Hackney Wick on September 19.

Halstead continue their pre-season programme this weekend when they travel to play Haverhill Borough in a friendly, kick-off 3pm.

Halstead and other non-league clubs have received some welcome good news after a limited number of spectators were given the green light to return to matches.

Fans will be allowed to attend matches at steps three to six of the National League System from this weekend, after the Football Association today issued updated guidelines for the National League System (NLS).

A phased and limited return of spectators for clubs has also been allowed for the Women’s Football Pyramid (WFP), from tiers three to four respectively.

In line with the FA’s guidelines, clubs will be required to have a designated Covid-19 officer, complete and publish bespoke risk assessments and action plans and arrange support for Track and Trace efforts, prior to spectators being allowed back.

In a statement, The FA said: “We have worked continuously alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and leagues to submit detailed proposals for a phased and limited return of spectators at these levels to the UK Government.

“The DCMS has now clarified its guidance on the return to recreational team sport and clubs at steps three to six of the NLS and tiers three to four of the WFP are permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators to fixtures.

“However, they must follow the UK Government’s guidance in relation to COVID-19 and The FA’s updated guidelines for the NLS or WFP respectively.

“In addition, regional NLS feeder league clubs and clubs at tiers five to six of the WFP are permitted to accommodate socially-distanced spectators in line with our guidelines for grassroots football.”

Stage one, which will take place between tomorrow and August 30, will see spectators allowed to attend fixtures at steps three to six, providing that their number does not exceed 15 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity.