Match Preview
FA CUP Preliminary Round
We’re back at Manor Fields on Saturday for the FA Cup against Arlesey Town in the Preliminary Round. Get the lowdown on our opponents, recent form, and what to expect at home.
Manor Fields, MK2 2HX
16th August 2025
15:00
Milton Keynes will be looking to avoid their third successive home loss when they face Step 5 side Arlesey Town at Manor Fields on Saturday in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.
MK Irish have been winless since their first FA Cup encounter against Heybridge Swifts, where JJ Meadows’ brace was instrumental to the club’s 3-2 win against the Step 4 side.
The win would have brought confidence to the newly promoted Irish side as they entered their venture into Step 4; however, losses to Welwyn Garden City and Biggleswade FC have left the club in the bottom four of the Southern League Division One Central.
The club has the chance to redeem itself on Saturday, when it welcomes Step 5 side, Arlesey Town, to Manor Fields, knowing that a win would earn them a place in the First Round Qualifying in the FA Cup.
Milton Keynes Irish did the double over Saturday’s opponents last season in the Spartan South Midlands League, beating Arlesey 5-2 and 4-1 respectively, and the away side were unlucky to just miss out on the promotion playoffs, finishing just three points behind fifth-placed Wormley Rovers.
Arlesey Town is managed by Tommy Cooney, who has worked as high as Step 2 with Dulwich Hamlet in the 2022-23 season before taking on the permanent role at the Bedfordshire-based side.
The away side come to Manor Fields unbeaten this season and progressed to the Preliminary Round after beating Kempston Rovers 5-1 away from home, which will leave them full of confidence coming into this fixture.
Arlesey Town was founded in 1891 and has made it to the FA Cup First Round twice in its history, losing to Salisbury City and Coventry City in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
The club currently sits in second place only behind Haringey Borough on goal difference, with ten points and ten goals after four games in the SSML.
Milton Keynes Irish will face off against Arlesey Town on the 16th of August at 3pm in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, and Terry Shrieves will be hoping his side will be able to bounce back with what would be the club’s second win of the season.
Make sure to join us at Manor Fields next Saturday, when MK Irish welcome Aylesbury United in the club’s quest for its first win in Step 4.
