WITTON Albion, 1874 Northwich and Barnton have had dates for their FA Trophy and FA Vase encounters confirmed.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that the current national lockdown would end as planned on December 2, bringing a four-week suspension of non-elite football to an end.

Albion will host Bamber Bridge in the first round proper of the FA Trophy on Tuesday, December 8, having been awarded a bye through the third qualifying round due to Covid issues for scheduled opponents Scarborough Athletic.

Having seen off Harrogate Railway Athletic, 1874's home game against County Durham side West Auckland Town in the second round proper of the FA Vase will take place on Saturday, December 5.

On the same weekend, Barnton will play their postponed first round tie against Bacup Borough, with the winner hosting Seaham Red Star on Saturday, December 12.

Teams could play up to three rounds of each competition before Christmas under the new schedule as football attempts to catch up having lost four weeks of games.

Revised dates for the Buildbase FA Trophy are as follows:

First Round Proper - Tuesday 8 December

Second Round Proper - Tuesday 15 December

Third Round Proper - Saturday 19 December

Revised dates for the Buildbase FA Vase are as follows:

First Round Proper - Saturday 5 OR Sunday 6 December [for the 12 outstanding matches]

Second Round Proper - Saturday 5 December

Second Round Proper [results from outstanding matches in First Round Proper] - Saturday 12 December

Third Round Proper - Saturday 19 December