The First Round Proper of the FA Cup begins on Friday, which means a handful of Conference Premier clubs will attempt to take the next step toward surprise contention in the competition. While promotion to League football is surely the ultimate goal for most Conference clubs, the FA Cup offers the next greatest opportunity to showcase talent and enjoy chances against clubs from the higher divisions of English football.
Here are the Conference clubs and matches to keep an eye on in the First Round Proper as they attempt to beat each other out to advance to higher levels of the competition.
Eastleigh v. Lincoln City
On Saturday we’ll see a game between two Conference clubs as Eastleigh takes on Lincoln City. Take a look at our tables and you’ll see that Eastleigh is off to a better start in Conference play, though the two sides have not faced off yet. Lincoln City had the more convincing play in the FA Cup Fourth Round qualifying, though Eastleigh had to dispatch Kidderminster to move on. This should be a close pairing.
Basingstoke Town v. AFC Telford United
Telford get the advantage of playing against Basingstoke Town in the First Round Proper, with Basingstoke hailing from Conference South. Telford are currently sitting in dead last in the Conference tables, but this is a nice chance to advance another round in FA Cup play.
Dagenham & Redbridge v. Southport
This looks like a lopsided tie, at Dagenham’s Victoria Road ground and with Southport clearly the inferior side. Romford Recorder offered a little bit of hope to Southport supporters this week, however, by reporting that Dagenham will be without starting left back Jack Connors, who’s been called up for international duty.
Bromley v. Dartford
Like Telford, Dartford have a nice opportunity to advance because of a tie against a club from Conference South. Still, this is no given, as Bromley will be at home on Saturday and are having a fairly strong season, currently sitting fourth in their division.
Barnet v. Wycombe Wanderers
This is certainly one of the more intriguing pairings. Theoretically, Wycombe Wanderers should have a solid edge. Also as BBC’s League Two tables show, they’re alone in first place in their division, fighting for promotion. Barnet leads the Conference, however, and will get a nice test against the sort of club they’re fighting to play against on a more regular basis.
Grimsby Town v. Oxford United
This is one tie that looks ripe for an upset. Oxford United have performed in uninspired fashion thus far in League Two, while Grimsby is fighting for the Conference lead and ultimately for promotion. It’s a significant opportunity for Paul Hurst and Co., particularly starting at home on Saturday.
Tranmere Rovers v. Bristol Rovers
Currently in position to make the Conference play-offs, Bristol has an outside chance at promotion to League Two. That makes Tranmere — a bottom-dwelling League Two club this season — the perfect club for them to play against. FA Cup glory may not be in the cards, but for their own journey as a club, Rovers are getting the competition it needs.
Southend United v. Chester
Southend are far from a dominant side, but Chester haven’t done a great deal to impress thus far in the 2014-15 campaign. It’s unlikely they’ll advance further in FA Cup play.
Dover Athletic v. Morecambe
Morecambe are not exactly in top form. They’re winless in their last three games, including a very disappointing draw with York. Dover, however, haven’t done much on their own to inspire confidence, with just five points in the last five matches.
Halifax Town v. Bradford City
This one looks pretty lopsided, as Bradford City are one of only a few League One clubs facing a Conference club at this stage of the competition. The Betfair match preview, however, takes an optimistic tone for Halifax. Though Bradford City are the odds-on favourites, the preview points out that they’re “in wretched form,” with only one win in their last nine games. Also, Halifax has performed well at home, which could lead to this being a very intriguing upset.
Braintree Town v. Chesterfield
Chesterfield are another League One club in the fray, and like Bradford City they’ve been fairly dreadful of late. Braintree don’t seem to have the quality of Halifax, so this is a less likely upset, but don’t overlook it — Chesterfield are a mess.
Wrexham v. Woking
Wrexham took out fellow Conference club Macclesfield en route to this stage of FA Cup competition and will look to defeat a second division opponent in Woking. Oddly enough, the two will face each other in division play just three days after their Sunday FA Cup tie.
Forest Green Rovers v. Scunthorpe United
Forest Green has been one of the better-looking clubs in Conference play. And even though Scunthorpe got off to a horrendous start in League One, they seem to be rounding into form lately. A recent win over Peterborough gave them eight points in their last five games. While not stellar, this is significant improvement for Scunthorpe, who hope to not their blow momentum by losing to a Conference club.
