Monday’s Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round draw has created some mouthwatering ties. The NLP has selected some of the standouts before they do battle in 12 days’ time.
Southport v FC United of Manchester/Hyde United
Southport, 13th in National League North, haven’t won an FA Cup tie since 2021. They lost 3-0 at home to lower league Morpeth Town last year and face Step 3 opposition this time.
The Sandgrounders knocked Hyde United out in the 2004 4th Qualifying Round. United, top of NPL Premier, threw away a 3-0 lead against FC United on Saturday. Their divisional rivals scored twice in added time and replay tomorrow night.
Campion/Blyth Spartans v Bury
Mitchell Curry scored with five minutes remaining to keep managerless Blyth in the competition. Their televised tie at Step 5 Campion got the 1st Qualifying Round up and running on Saturday. Spartans reached round five in 1977 while this is just Campion’s fifth season in the competition.
The winners of Wednesday’s replay are home to the 1900 FA Cup winners. This is Bury’s fourth away tie in a row, they overcame Garforth Town on Saturday.
Macclesfield v South Shields
Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield won 3-0 at Tadcaster Albion at the weekend with substitute Paul Dawson netting all three. The NPL Premier highfliers will be hoping to cause an upset at home to National League North South Shields, who lost at home to Forest Green Rovers last year in a televised 1st Round contest.
Newcastle Town v Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United are the joint highest ranked team at this stage. The National League North leaders have only dropped two points thus far, but they haven’t won an FA Cup tie since 2018.
Newcastle, 15th in NPL West, beat Long Eaton United on Saturday. They’ve not reached the 3rd Qualifying Round since 2010.
Needham Market v St Albans City
Needham Market recorded their first Step 2 win on Saturday. They host St Albans City who are winless in the sister division, losing five of their opening six. It’s one of three National League North v South ties. The Marketmen reached round one in 2022, losing at Burton Albion. St Albans have been knocked out by lower league sides in the last two seasons since their 2nd Round exit to Boreham Wood in 2021.
Eastbourne Borough v Boreham Wood
An all National League South tie, two teams who meet again in East Sussex in October. Fourth time in six seasons Eastbourne have drawn a side from their own league at this stage. Boreham Wood enjoyed some great FA Cup roles under previous boss Luke Garrard, the most stand-out a last 16 loss at Everton in 2022. They’ve reached at least round three in three of the last four seasons.
Maidstone United v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Talking of good cup runs, Maidstone United’s run to the last 16 was arguably the FA Cup story of last season. Times are different now as they’re struggling in National League South, sitting one point above Hampton & Richmond Borough. They met on 20 August at the Gallagher Stadium and played out a 0-0 draw.
Horsham v Dorking Wanderers
Horsham knocked Dorking out in last season’s 4th Qualifying Round which means Dorking still haven’t reached round one since first entering the competition in 2013. Horsham went on to lose at Sutton United last year in the second round after being reinstated at Barnsley’s expense. They beat Virginia Water 4-0 on Saturday to set up a rematch against Marc White’s Wands, who are currently 9th in National League North.
Nailsea & Tickenham v Chippenham Town
It’s only Nailsea’s second season in the competition, and they’ve landed a plum draw against a side three divisions above them. Having beaten Cinderford Town, Reading City and Hartpury University, they won’t roll over against a Chippenham side who 4-1 this stage last year to lower league Hungerford Town.
Truro City v Brackley Town
Despite this being a regional draw, Brackley Town face a 520-mile round trip to Cornwall. Truro have scored eight in their last two home games and are flying under John Askey. Brackley, who lost in the National League North play-off final last year, have made a stuttering start this term. They’re currently 17th after a weekend loss to Hereford.
Full draw – ties scheduled to take place on Saturday September 14:
Dunston vs Scarborough Athletic
Crook Town vs Witton Albion
Southport vs FC United of Manchester/Hyde United
Mossley / Whitby Town vs Chorley
Stockton Town vs Marine
Newcastle Benfield vs Whitchurch Alport/Wythenshawe Town
Guiseley vs 1874 Northwich
Bamber Bridge/Newton Aycliffe vs Warrington Rylands
Chester vs Hebburn Town
Farsley Celtic vs Hallam
Curzon Ashton vs Lancaster City/Barnoldswick Town
Warrington Town vs Radcliffe
Campion/ Blyth Spartans vs Bury
Spennymoor Town vs Morpeth Town
Macclesfield vs South Shields
West Didsbury & Chorlton vs Darlington
Newcastle Town vs Scunthorpe United
Gainsborough Trinity vs Grantham Town
Hereford vs Ilkeston Town
Kidderminster Harriers vs Leek Town
Kettering Town vs Cleethorpes Town
Mickleover vs Anstey Nomads
Harborough Town/Darlaston Town vs Stourbridge
Spalding United/Matlock Town vs Alfreton Town
Shifnal Town vs Redditch United
Belper Town/Bromsgrove Sporting vs Bottesford Town
Buxton vs Barwell
Rushall Olympic vs Sheffield
Leamington vs Carlton Town
Rugby Town vs Hednesford Town
Worksop Town vs Basford United
Needham Market vs St Albans City
Lowestoft Town vs Newmarket Town/Ipswich Wanderers
Hemel Hempstead Town vs Bishop’s Stortford
King’s Lynn Town vs Cheshunt
Canvey Island vs Felixstowe & Walton United
Harpenden Town/St Ives Town vs Berkhamsted
Bowers & Pitsea vs Harleston Town/ Biggleswade T
Tilbury / Brantham Athletic vs Chelmsford City
Brightlingsea Regent/Haringey Borough vs Witham Town
Gorleston vs St Neots Town/Barking
Hornchurch vs Hashtag United
Enfield Town vs Peterborough Sports
Aveley vs Royston/Bedford Town
Biggleswade vs AFC Dunstable
Brentwood Town vs Leiston
Ashford United vs Corinthian
Ramsgate vs Broadbridge Heath/Faversham Town
Burgess Hill Town vs Athletic Newham/Amersham Town
Sheppey United/Hanwell Town vs Chertsey Town
Welling United vs Chatham Town
Eastbourne Borough vs Boreham Wood
Carshalton Athletic vs South Park (Reigate)
Hastings United/ Redhill vs Harefield United/Lewes
Lordswood vs Sittingbourne/Dover Athletic
Tonbridge Angels vs Merstham
Chichester City vs Slough Town
Maidstone United vs Hampton & Richmond Borough
Dartford vs Dulwich Hamlet/Leatherhead
Worthing vs Havant & Waterlooville
Horsham vs Dorking Wanderers
Bognor Regis Town vs Margate/Hayes & Yeading United
Cray Valley PM vs Chesham United
Hanworth Villa/Walton & Hersham vs Farnborough
Larkfield & New Hythe/Cray Wanderers vs Wingate & Finchley
Herne Bay vs Hendon
Swindon Supermarine/Poole Town vs Taunton Town
Easington Sports/Frome Town vs Larkhall Athletic
Wimborne Town vs Weston-super-Mare
AFC Stoneham vs Salisbury
Nailsea & Tickenham vs Chippenham Town
Truro City vs Brackley Town
