New boss Marc Das has seen his Takeley side handed a tough first game in this season’s FA Cup extra preliminary round.

The side from Station Road have been given an away trip to fellow Essex Senior League side Barking who completed the double over Takeley last term on their way to a fourth place finish.

Of the game which takes place on Saturday, August 6, Das told the Broadcast: “It [the FA Cup] comes around really quickly, we have only got one league game before.

“Barking away will be a tough tie for us against one of the clubs that finished high in the league last season.”

The FA Vase first qualifying round draw has pitted his side with Tower Hamlets who, like Takeley, were in the league’s bottom five finishers.

“The FA Vase game away at Tower Hamlets is hopefully a more favourable draw for us,” he added.

Takeley’s first pre-season game is this Saturday at home to Ryman League side Cheshunt followed by a visit of Aveley on Tuesday night.

“We have been working hard in pre-season training Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,” said Das, who joined the club at the end of last season from Sawbridgeworth.

“We have had a very good turnout with some old faces and some new ones that have come with me from Sawbridgeworth.

“We have a lot more work to do over the next few weeks.

“We have been doing a lot of endurance and working on the fitness side to get stamina in the players, the tactical ball work will come.”

Work at the club over the summer has not been limit to that of the players and coaching staff.

Das added: “The staff and volunteers at the club have done a superb job tidying up around the ground and with the pitch so it will be as prepared as well as the team come the start of the season.”

Takeley’s pre-season fixtures: July 16 Takeley v Cheshunt; July 19 Takeley v Aveley; July 23 Takeley v Hoddesdon; July 26 Braintree Town Reserves v Takeley; July 30 Buckhurst Hill v Takeley.