Christmas is a distant memory, and yet it’s still dark and we’re in the middle of winter… Can only mean the Third Round of the FA Cup is on the cards, and ready for the action Mitre give us a high-vis version of the 22/23 match ball.

Manchester United and Everton is the Third Round opener for the FA Cup this weekend, and it’s also set to be the first appearance of the all-new, winter-ready, hi-vis Mitre Ultimax Pro ball, the official match ball of the competition. As you might well expect, it’s exactly the same ball that’s already been in use so far, just presented in a bright “Yellow/Black/FA Cup Red” colourway, ensuring it can be seen in low-light and (whisper it) snowy conditions.

So what we get is a yellow base, with those returning chevrons presented in black with the FA Cup branding in the red point of each pointing the way to what all players and fans will be dreaming of.

Under the surface we get a thermally bonded four-panel construction, with Dual Hyperfoam technology that offers more power for strikes, while the debossed Hyperflow surface manipulates airflow to give more accuracy to shots and passes. Hyperseam technology then provides the benefits of both stitching and bonding for zero water uptake – an essential criteria in England’s often wet weather.

Finally, it’s FIFA Quality Pro approved and now 32 percent more durable. Prepare to see Jordan Pickford picking this one out of the net come Friday night following a fine Marcus Rashford finish. Called it.

Pick up the Mitre Hi-Viz 22/23 FA Cup Ball at prodirectsport.com/soccer