Gary Setchell admits he can't believe his King's Lynn Town side landed Cambridge City twice in yesterday's draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The Linnets defied odds of more than 1,000-1 to host the Lilywhites at home when the pair enter both of the national competitions a little later than hundreds of the country's other non-league teams.

Lynn, who have achieved back-to-back promotions to Step Three of the non-league ladder, will face the same-level city outfit on September 14 in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup and a month later in the Trophy. And Setchell believes there will be little to separate the sides in both ties.

The Lynn boss, who will give former Italy Under-18 international Carlo Coppari, a left-sided attacking player, a trial in today's pre-season friendly at Fakenham Town, said: 'I'm not sure what odds you would have been given on it happening but I'd have liked to have had a few quid on it.

'It's bizarre, freakish, and realistically not great draws for both clubs in terms of who is left in. There are a lot easier teams in the draw. But at least we're at home and you'd take anyone there – even if we've got two very tough games.

'I'm sure Cambridge will be expecting tough games and two even matches. They're a regular top-half Southern Premier side and we've just been promoted into the Northern Premier to get to that level. Hopefully home advantage will help things go in our favour but the games are a long way off yet and a lot can happen between now and then.'

On Coppari he added: 'He's a typical Italian. Very good on the ball with good movement. He wants to try the English game so we'll give him a go and see how he adapts to it.'

Ten of the region's outfits enter the 133rd FA Cup at the extra preliminary round stage with the stand-out ties being a derby between Thurlow Nunn Premier Division Thetford Town and Diss Town and an intriguing clash between Swaffham Town and Wisbech Town. The Thurlow Nunn First Division Pedlars have recently re-signed Joe Jackson – who only left to join United Counties League Wisbech in February.

Ryman Division One North Dereham Town, now playing at Step Four for the first time, could make the short trip to Great Yarmouth Town in the preliminary round – but only if the Bloaters see off Boston Town a fortnight earlier. On the same day, former Gorleston boss Richard Daniels could visit his old club with Diss if both outfits win their initial matches.

A host of Step Five and Step Six sides also learned of their FA Vase fate with Gorleston going straight to the first, and Wisbech the second, round respectively after their exploits last term.

- Today's other friendly: Chatteris Town v Swaffham (3pm)