This season the Velocity Trophy will have a new format. Step Four sides, including Harlow Town, will now join the competition in an initial group stage, with the winners of the ten groups joining the Isthmian Premier Division sides in the last 32.

At this stage, the competition reverts to a traditional knock-out format.

The Hawks have been drawn in Group 3 alongside Cambridge City, Hertford Town, Histon, Soham Town Rangers, and Ware.

There will also be a twist for the group stages. There will no longer be any extra time in the event of a drawn match, but instead each club will pick up one point and progress straight to a penalty shootout. The winners of the shootout then earn a second point!

Teams are also allowed to name five substitutes, and play them all if they wish.

The dates for the Hawks' group fixtures have now been agreed with the other clubs as follows. All games will kick off at 7:45pm:

Tuesday 3rd September: Home to Histon
Tuesday 24th September: Away to Soham Town Rangers
Tuesday 15th October: Away to Ware
Tuesday 22nd October: Home to Hertford Town
Wednesday 6th November: Away to Cambridge City