Helston Athletic will face one of the biggest games in their history on Tuesday as they prepare for their Emirates FA Cup debut.

In what will be their first competitive match since a 2-1 victory at home to Callington Town on March 11 before sport came to an abrupt stop amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Blues will take to the pitch for the very first time in the world’s oldest national football competition.

Western Football League Premier Division side Odd Down are the opponents for Helston’s landmark game, with the Blues making the 183-mile trip to the Lew Hill Memorial Ground in Bath for the 7.45pm kick-off.

Unlike previous seasons there will be no option for a replay back in Cornwall should scores be level at 90 minutes. The FA has abandoned replays this year in order to avoid a further fixture backlog given the later start to the campaign, meaning a winner will be decided on the night.

Manager Steve Massey is confident of his side’s chances should they put in a similar performance to the one they produced in last Friday's narrow 2-1 defeat at Dorchester Town in their pre-season friendly.

He said: “I’m really, really excited. It takes me back to my playing days when there’s a big game coming up.

“Particularly the start of the season, it makes it extra special. You ask any player, no matter how long they’ve been retired, they still have that feeling of excitement and thrill of the season going to start where everyone’s full of expectations.

“Everybody’s looking forward to it, particularly because we feel we have a really good chance if we play to our potential, certainly if we play the way we did against Dorchester on Friday night.

“We gifted them a goal, marking was shocking for the second goal, and then after that, certainly for 70 minutes we totally dominated, and if we can play like that I think we can carry on with the good run and form that we finished with before Covid came in.”

Massey will be without Phil Cattran (away) for the tie and Josh Storey, Scott Beattie and Harrison Jewell are ruled out with injuries, while Alex Wharton, Luke Tripconey and Lewis Tonkin are not expected to feature.

Will Tinsley and Jordan Dingle are in line to make their Helston debuts following their move from St Austell in June.

The Blues are hoping to stream the tie live on YouTube, with the coverage expected to be available to subscribers of the Piran Films channel.

Elsewhere, four of Helston's Cornish rivals are also in extra preliminary round action, with fellow debutants Millbrook at home to Bridgwater Town.

St Austell and Saltash United are both away, with the Lillywhites at Newton Abbot Spurs while the Ashes visit Plymouth Parkway.

Bodmin Town are away at Wellington with the tie to be played at Cullompton Rangers.

Massey wished all fellow Cornish clubs the best of luck for the competition, adding that "I hope we go as far as we can without drawing each other!"