Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Preview

This coming Saturday sees a number of clubs from the Pitching In Southern Football League take part in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.

Indeed, it’s Chesham United who kick-off the round, when they welcome Premier Division South rivals Bracknell Town to The Meadow on Friday evening.

It should be an interesting tie as both teams going into the game having lost just once in the league to date – ironically, the Robins` defeat came at the hands of Chesham as they lost 3-0 at home on August 27th!

This is the round when the teams from the Vanarama National League North and South enter the competition, and Premier Division Central side Barwell will fancy their chances as they host a Kettering Town outfit who have made an indifferent start to the season under new boss Lee Glover.

Others facing National League opposition at home include Winchester City, who welcome Weymouth, relegated from the top division at the end of last season, Salisbury, who have Oxford City making the trip to the Ray Mac, Redditch United, who lock horns once again with former league rivals Peterborough Sports, who have won four of their eight games to date in the National League North after winning promotion via the play-offs last season, and Division One Central side Berkhamsted, who will be looking to pull of a shock when they entertain Concord Rangers at Broadwater.

One of the most intriguing ties takes place at Aggborough, home of National League North side Kidderminster Harriers, as they welcome an in-form Tamworth.

Harriers have a great record of causing FA Cup upsets themselves over the years, but the Lambs under Andy Peaks may just fancy their chances – maybe after a replay?

Another team who will fancy their chances of making a headline or two on Saturday evening are Division One South leaders Sholing.

The Boatmen were victims of something of an upset this week when Lymington Town knocked them out of the Isuzu FA Trophy, so they will not want to exit two cup competitions in a week when they travel to Hardenhuish Park to take on National League South outfit Chippenham Town.

Two teams who went into battle in last season’s Premier Division South play-off final, Farnborough and Hayes & Yeading United, recommence their duel at the EasyasHGV Stadium in the cup.

Spencer Day’s Boro team triumphed 2-1 on May 2nd to return to the National League South, so Paul Hughes` men will be desperate for a bit of revenge.

There are also a number of Southern League teams facing potential banana skins!

Ilkeston Town, who have recently lost manager Martin Carruthers but won for the first time this season under caretaker bosses Jamie Ward and Ben Turner when beating Coalville Town 4-1 on Tuesday night, face a very tricky test at Step 5 side Anstey Nomads from the United Counties League Premier Division North.

The Nomads have lost just once this season to date and have won their last two league games 5-0!

Ilkeston’s league rivals Basford United at least have home advantage when they take on UCL Premier Division South side Rugby Town at Greenwich Avenue.

Premier Division South leaders Weston-super-Mare will hope to avoid an upset when Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Shepton Mallet visit the Optima Stadium, while Division One South new boys Bishops Cleeve have a tricky home tie against Shepton Mallet’s league rivals Helston Athletic.

Two of the afternoon’s biggest crowds should be at the Windmill Ground where local rivals Leamington from the National League North and Premier Division Central side Nuneaton Borough meet and also at Edgar Street where Hereford, also from the National League North, welcome Boro’s league rivals Bromsgrove Sporting.

And there should be a decent turnout at Westleigh Park where National League South side Havant & Waterlooville have Division One South neighbours AFC Totton visiting.

The full draw…

Friday 16th September

Chesham United v Bracknell Town

Saturday

Leamington v Nuneaton Borough
Alvechurch v Harborough Town
Stratford Town v Banbury United
Basford United v Rugby Town
Coalville Town v Macclesfield
Hereford v Bromsgrove Sporting
Redditch United v Peterborough Sports
Barwell v Kettering Town
Anstey Nomads v Ilkeston Town
Kidderminster Harriers v Tamworth
East Thurrock United v Biggleswade Town
Canvey Island v St Ives Town
Berkhamsted v Concord Rangers
Chelmsford City v Kings Langley
Hemel Hempstead Town v Royston Town
Needham Market v Sheringham
King’s Lynn Town v Bedford Town
Waltham Abbey v Brightlingsea Regent
Farnborough v Hayes & Yeading United
Cray Valley (PM) v Hanwell Town
Metropolitan Police v Burgess Hill Town
Weston-super-Mare v Shepton Mallet
Havant & Waterlooville v AFC Totton
Gosport Borough v Paulton Rovers
Merthyr Town v Cirencester Town
Bath City v Hartley Wintney
Yate Town v Tiverton Town
Winchester City v Weymouth
Swindon Supermarine v Dorchester Town
Bishop’s Cleeve v Helston Athletic
North Leigh v Plymouth Parkway
Chippenham Town v Sholing
Salisbury v Oxford City