Season 2017/18 - Third Qualifying Round

Tuesday 28th November
Bath City 0 Margate 0
Bostick Premier Margate earned a draw against Vanarama South Bath City to take them back to the Kent Coast for a replay at Hartsdown Park.

Frannie Collin had the visitors’ first attempt on goal, firing just over from 25 yards out, before the hosts got their first shot on target, crafting an opportunity on the edge of the penalty area. Patrick Lee watched it all the way though to safely collect the ball.

Chiedozie’s trickery down the left hand side and into the penalty area won The Gate a corner. The inswinging delivery was punched away and the hosts countered, and Tom Wynter entered the referee’s book following a clumsy challenge in the middle of the park. Ben Swift cleared the resulting free-kick away from danger though.

Chiedozie then found himself in a 3 against 1 situation and managed to send in a tantalising cross, picking out Jack Evans who fired the loose ball over from distance, before Evans was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of the box. However Lee calmly punched the in-swinging free-kick away before Wynter skilfully headed the follow up delivery away.

Kane Haysman then laced a neat through ball on the turn to send Chiedozie into the box but the Bath keeper came off his line quickly to smother the ball at the number 9’s feet, however the half time whistle soon sounded and the game remained goalless after a half were both teams enjoyed good spells on the ball.

Half Time Bath City 0 Margate 0

The second half began how the first ended; a good battle between the two teams, and the hosts soon had their best opportunity of the game so far as a ball in from the left was cleared at the front post, with the hosts running in and scuffing a shot which The Blues cleared.

Jack Evans then received a yellow card following a mistimed tackle on the hosts, Swift then produced a strong block to ensure the hosts failed to capitalise on the consequent set piece, before Bath City came close to opening the scoring when a quick counter attack almost exposed The Gate goal. However the shot whistled wide of Lee’s outstretched palm and also the goal.

Martin then dipped a great ball into the visitors box and saw Haysman hit a shot which enforced a corner from which Liam Friend came close to converting with a strong header on goal, before Chiedozie laid the ball off nicely for Evans to unleash a stinging shot on target from the edge of the box for the visitors.

It was now end to end stuff as the match became stretched, with both teams creating a number of half chances, searching for the game’s first goal, but Bath City had their keeper to thank for pulling off an outstanding save to deny Haysman for what looked destined to be a goal from a glancing header and give Gate a famous win.

However it meant that the game ended all square and a replay at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday.

Full Time Bath City 0 Margate 0

Here are some photos of the evening courtesy of Bath City FC:-

So just a week later the teams met again for that replay, here is how it panned out:-
Margate 2 Bath City 2 (aet; Bath City won  5-4 on penalties)
A major traffic incident on the M2 delayed kick off till 8:20pm in this one however once the game began the hosts had the first effort in the third minute when Kane Haysman stung the gloves of the Bath keeper from range, and in the 12th minute Tom Wynter kept the scores level with a superb clearance off the line from the visitors.

On the quarter hour mark Marvin Morgan shot wide of the target for Bath but just before the half hour mark the hosts found the breakthrough when Dave Martin let fly from range and found the back of the net as the ball squirms through the keeper's hands for the ties first goal in 119 minutes of play.

Eight minutes before the break Patrick Lee saved well at the feet of Marvin Morgan as he charged out to deny the visitors big striker, and two minutes later Jordan Chiedoze surged through on goal, only for his low shot to be kept out by a fantastic save from the Bath keeper.

Five minutes before half time Frannie Collin shot wide of the target after a poor clearance from the visitors, as Margate keep up their high tempo, and then two minutes before the break Jack Evans was denied this time as his rising effort from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar.  It had been a good half for the underdogs and they led at the break.

Half Time Margate 1 Bath City 0

Bath came out with much more purpose second half and levelled the tie with only eight minutes of the second period gone as Jack Compton curled a fine free-kick into the top corner, however just before the hour mark another brilliant stop denied Jordan Chiedoze, after he had looked set to hand Margate back the lead.

But instead it was the visitors who went in front in the 62nd minute with another incredible effort from Jack Compton, who handed Bath the lead with a 30 yard piledriver, to turn this game on its head.  However Margate were still well in this game and with twenty minutes left Frannie Collin struck a sharp shot just over the bar.

But with just over ten minutes remaining the hosts found a leveller thanks to a fantastic volley from Lee Prescott, and with six minutes left Margate came unbelievably close to a winner as Kane Haysman surged down the left and struck an effort against the far post. The Blues were now all over their opposition.

And with a minute left so nearly found a winner as after the hosts keeper had made a quick double save, Jay May rattled the bar with a header, and the game went into extra time as a result.

Full Time Margate 2 Bath City 2

Eight minutes into the extra time period Bath came close to retaking the lead but saw their effort from the edge of the box flick the bar and go over, and then in the 110th minute Margate went close when superb play from Liam Enver-Marum saw him tee up Frannie Collin who rattled the bar.

And with five minutes left of extra time Patrick Lee saved well down to his left from an effort from range from the visitors, and it meant the tie went to penalties.

Margate missed their first kick, before the rest were scored, leaving Bath needing to score to win 5-4 but they missed so it was 4-4 and sudden death.  The hosts then missed before the visitors netted the winning spot kick to progress 5-4 on penalties and set up a 1st Round Proper away tie at Hendon on December 16th.   It was tough on Margate who had more than matched their higher league opponents, but they just could not get the job done and Bath City squeeze through as a result.

Full Time Margate 2 Bath City 2 (aet; Bath City won  5-4 on penalties)

Here are some photos of the evening courtesy of Bath City FC:-

So a wonderful tie was finally ended by the dreaded shootout, and it's now Hendon vs Bath City for me in the First Round Proper on Saturday December 16th.

Right here are the Third Qualifying Round results in full:-
Friday 24th November
Darlington 2 Harrogate Town 3

Saturday 25th November
Brackley Town 4 Salford City 0
York City 3 Coalville Town 1
Cleethorpes Town 1 Spennymoor Town 2
Grantham Town 3 Chorley 4
Tamworth 2 Warrington Town 2
AFC Telford United 4 Droylsden 2
Gainsborough Trinity 2 Stafford Rangers 0
Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 Stourbridge 1
Boston United 2 Kidderminster Harriers 2
Nuneaton Town 5 North Ferriby United 1
Stockport County 2 Southport 2
Blyth Spartans AFC 2 Stalybridge Celtic 1
Glossop North End 0 Workington AFC 0
Alfreton Town 0 Altrincham 2
Leamington 3 Curzon Ashton 1
Lancaster City 1 Mildenhall Town 0
Marine 1 FC United Of Manchester 0
Lewes 1 Truro City 3
Havant & Waterlooville 3 Dorking Wanderers 1
East Thurrock United 3 Shortwood United 1
Taunton Town 3 Concord Rangers 2
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Bognor Regis Town 1
Oxford City 1 Hereford 2
Hendon 1 Slough Town 1
Braintree Town 3 Cray Wanderers 0
Welling United 0 Weston Super Mare 1
St Albans City 3 Poole Town 1
Metropolitan Police 0 Wingate & Finchley 1
Whitehawk 2 Chippenham Town 1
Haringey Borough 3 Thame United 1
Brentwood Town 1 Dartford 2
Chesham United 2 Gloucester City 1
Hungerford Town 0 Billericay Town 2
Hampton & Richmond Borough 5 Harlow Town 1
Wealdstone 1 Chelmsford City 1
Eastbourne Borough 1 Royston Town 1

Sunday 26th November
Kingstonian 2 Heybridge Swifts 2

Monday 27th November
Replay
Stourbridge 2 Bradford (Park Avenue) 1

Tuesday 28th November
Bath City 0 Margate 0

Replays
Warrington Town 3 Tamworth 0
Kidderminster Harriers 2 Boston United 0
Bognor Regis Town 1 Hemel Hempstead Town 0
Slough Town 1 Hendon 1 (AET, Hendon won 3-0 on penalties)
Royston Town 2 Eastbourne Borough 2 (AET, Eastbourne Borough won 4-3 on penalties)
Workington AFC 5 Glossop North End 1

Wednesday 29th November
Farnborough 1 Hartley Wintney 2

Replays
Southport 0 Stockport County 3
Chelmsford City 1 Wealdstone 2
Heybridge Swifts 5 Kingstonian 1

Tuesday 5th December
Replay
Margate 2 Bath City 2 (AET, Bath City won 5-4 on penalties)

Right that concluded the Qualifying Rounds, here is the First Round Proper fixtures in full now as the Vanarama National League sides enter the fray:-
Saturday 16th December
Solihull Moors VS Tranmere Rovers (extra time & penalties agreed, no replay)
Blyth Spartans AFC VS AFC Telford United
Kidderminster Harriers VS York City
Chorley VS Marine
FC Halifax Town VS Macclesfield Town
Spennymoor Town VS Gainsborough Trinity
Chester VS AFC Fylde (extra time & penalties agreed, no replay)
Wrexham VS Harrogate Town
Leamington VS Stourbridge
Lancaster City VS Stockport County
Warrington Town VS Altrincham
Gateshead VS Guiseley AFC
Nuneaton Town VS Barrow AFC
Workington AFC VS Hartlepool United
Haringey Borough VS Leyton Orient
Dover Athletic VS Eastbourne Borough
Wealdstone VS Wingate & Finchley
Billericay Town VS Havant & Waterlooville
Chesham United VS Weston Super Mare
Sutton United VS Truro City
Woking VS Maidenhead United
Whitehawk VS St Albans City
East Thurrock United VS Aldershot Town
Hendon VS Bath City
Ebbsfleet United VS Eastleigh
Torquay United VS Maidstone United
Hartley Wintney VS Bromley
Braintree Town VS Brackley Town
Taunton Town VS Bognor Regis Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough VS Heybridge Swifts
Dartford VS Boreham Wood

Sunday 17th December
Hereford VS Dagenham & Redbridge

As I said it's Hendon Vs Bath City for me, Bostick Premier against Vanarama South, just like the last round, wonder what will happen?

Season 2017/18 - Second Qualifying Round

Saturday 25th November 2017

Just a small note before the match report of my featured game, Bowers & Pitsea's appeal was turned down so they were thrown out for a breach of FA rules, meaning Egham were reinstated and travelled to Margate.  The game was played on Third Qualifying Round day due to the delay with the FA hearing and the winners faced  a trip to Twerton Park to take on Bath City the following Tuesday for the Third Qualifying Round matchup.

Anyway here is how the game went at Hartsdown Park:-
Margate 2 Egham Town 0
Two second half Frannie Collin goals were enough for Bostick Premier Margate to see off Evo-Stik Southern East One Egham Town at Hartsdown Park on the Kent coast, setting up a Third Qualifying Round tie at Bath City on Tuesday evening.

The game was pretty much settled in a twenty minute purple patch for the hosts in the second period when the two goals were scored, and was the only time in the contest when the home side looked a league above their Surreyvisitors who more than matched their higher league opponents in the other 70 minutes of the contest.

Indeed Egham saw an early effort blocked whilst Margate also had a sniff of an opening but were thwarted inside the visitors area, and then the hosts saw a decent effort blocked, however the opening quarter hour or so had been pretty even.

On twenty minutes Egham struck a long range effort wide, but already you could detect a degree of frustration amongst the Bostick Premier hosts and their fans as their team were struggling to get themselves going.

And four minutes later Egham had another effort from the edge of the box although it was straight the down keepers throat, however the Evo-Stik Southern East One visitors were playing well here, and just before the half hour a good Egham move saw the ball laid across the area and their goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by a defender.

It took until the 31st minute for the hosts to properly threaten the visitors goal and they came so close to opening the scoring as a deflected header was brilliantly saved by the visitors keeper at full stretch, and then three minutes later another chance for the hosts saw a backheal set up an effort which the keeper saved with his legs, and then moments later a near post effort was deflected behind as the hosts were finally into their stride.

Seven minutes before the break the visitors had to do more defending and saw a volley fly over their crossbar, however it did remain goalless at the break.  The hosts had taken a good half hour to get going, but the visitors would of been the happier of the two sides at the half.

Half Time Margate 0 Egham Town 0

The early exchanges of the second began like the first, altbough Egham had probably started the half the better however we were about to enter that purple patch from the hosts and it began with the visitors keeper having to tip a decent Margate effort round the  post.

Ten minutes into the second half a goalmouth scramble inside the visitors area was just about cleared to safety by a desperate visitors defence, and two minutes after that the home side curled another effort inches over the bar as they were looking very dangerous by now.

The hosts continued to attack and just before the hour saw a dangerous cross tipped away by the Egham keeper, and then moments later a shot from twenty yards or so flew a foot over the visitors goal.

Margate continued to knock on the door and just past the hour mark saw a powerful free kick inexplicably punched back into the area by the keeper, but the follow up header went way over the bar, and two minutes after that the visiting stopper produced an incredible save to his left before recovering to kick the ball out of danger as the visitors survived again.

But in the 65th minute Margate finally blew the door down when Frannie Collin struck a powerful set play towards goal, saw it take a small nick off a defender, which deceived the keeper and saw him fail to keep the effort out despite his best efforts, and the hosts finally had a slender advantage.

Margate were absolutely humming by now and midway through the half saw a lovely one two end with the hosts in down the left, but found the visiting keeper there again to thwart them, saving the effort with his legs, before the rampant hosts got in again moments later and saw a shot across goal go just wide of the far post.  It has been one way traffic for the last fifteen to twenty minutes.

And with twenty minutes remaining the hosts made it two goals in five minutes when they added a brilliant second, as a good move ended with a ball laid into path of Collin who side footed first time into the corner of the net and Margate had some breathing space.

With just over ten minutes remaining another delightful ball across from the hosts ended with the ball being prodded wide at the far post, however sincd the second goal the hosts tempo had dropped significantly, and Egham almost capitalised on this when they nearly got in on goal, but a fine last ditch tackle thwarted them.

The visitors never really threatened a comeback tbough and Margate did have two shots from range go off target late on before a free kick was headed over the Egham crossbar in stoppage, however they had done enough to progress into the final qualifying round and travel to Twerton Park to take on Vanarama South side Bath City on Tuesday night.

Full Time Margate 2 Egham Town 0

Here are some photos from the day:-

So it's Margate who progress through to play Bath City of the Vanarama South, ill bring you what happened in that in my Third Qualifying Round blog.

Right here is the Second Qualifying Round results in full:-
Saturday 11th November
Lancaster City 3 Stratford Town 0
Kidsgrove Athletic 0 Grantham Town 2
Alvechurch 1 Coalville Town 5
Warrington Town 1 Ashton United 1
Altrincham 4 Ramsbottom United 1
Stalybridge Celtic 3 Rushall Olympic 2
Glossop North End 4 Leek Town 3
Stamford AFC 1 Droylsden 2
Chasetown 1 Workington AFC 3
Hednesford Town 1 Cleethorpes Town 1
Atherton Colleries 1 Marine 5
St Neots Town 2 Stourbridge 3
Barwell 0 Mildenhall Town 1
Stafford Rangers 3 South Shields 1
Chesham United 3 Hitchin Town 1
Taunton Town 1 Beaconsfield Town 1
Brentwood Town 3 Needham Market 1
Hereford 0 Potters Bar Town 0
Corinthian Casuals 1 Wingate & Finchley 3
Lewes 2 Bishop's Stortford 0
Dorchester Town 1 Heybridge Swifts 2
Harlow Town 2 Dulwich Hamlet 1
Hendon 3 Burgess Hill Town 0
Ashford Town (Middx) 2 Kingstonian 2
Maldon & Tiptree 1 Slough Town 4
Sittingbourne 1 Haringey Borough 1
Thamesmead Town 0 Metropolitan Police 1
Royston Town 3 Leatherhead 2
Hartley Wintney 3 Gosport Borough 0
Farnborough 3 Banbury United 3
Thame United 1 Worthing 0
Paulton Rovers 1 Shortwood United 2
Billericay Town 6 Bury Town 2
Dorking Wanderers 4 Leiston 1

Monday 13th November
Replays
Beaconsfield Town 1 Taunton Town 1 (AET, Taunton Town won 7-6 on penalties)
Kingstonian 2 Ashford Town (Middx) 0
Haringey Borough 1 Sittingbourne 0

Tuesday 14th November
Moneyfields 1 Cray Wanderers 1

Replays
Ashton United 2 Warrington Town 2 (AET, Warrington Town won 4-2 on penalties)
Potters Bar Town 1 Hereford 2

Wednesday 15th November
Replay
Cleethorpes Town 2 Hednesford Town 1

Wednesday 22nd November
Replay
Cray Wanderers 4 Moneyfields 1

Saturday 25th November
Margate 2 Egham Town 0

Replay
Banbury United 2 Farnborough 3 (AET)

Right for information on the Third Qualifying Round go to my blog on that round.

Season 2017/18 - First Qualifying Round

Saturday 28th October
Bowers & Pitsea 1 Egham Town 1
I was back at the Len Salmon Stadium to see my latest match in my Buildbase FA Trophy trail as Bowers & Pitsea hosted Egham Town in a First Qualifying Round tie.

Bowers had needed a replay to see off fellow Bostick North side Dereham Town to progress into this round whilst Egham had a much simpler passage through after the Evo Stik Southern East side demolished Bostick South bottom side Shoreham 7-1 in Surrey.

Both sides were doing well in their respective divisions too so a close hard fought cup tie was expected.  It was the visitors who started the better though and saw an early Matt Woods effort fly wide of the far post and on seven minutes Aaron Berry struck a fierce effort straight at hosts keeper Callum Chafer as the hosts struggled early on.

The hosts first chance came in the 13th minute and saw David Knight fire wide from the edge of the box and four minutes later they created another opening when a long throw was headed down to Gavin Cockman but the Bowers forward scuffed his effort and it dribbled into Pat Ohman’s hands.

Egham were soon back on the front foot minutes later though and an attack down the right saw a dangerous low ball in well fielded by Chafer as Liam Tack was ready to pounce and then just before the half hour mark a great free kick into the Bowers box by Egham full back Ryan Phillips almost found the head of Rhys Paul.  Any touch and surely the visitors would have taken the lead.

And moments later they should of done as Woods ran in on goal, rounded keeper Chafer,  but then fires across goal as Bowers survived another scare.

In the 33rd minute Bowers attacked and saw a Tony Stokes effort blocked before it came out to Ben Sartain who fired over from distance and two minutes before the break the hosts almost pinched a half time lead when a flick on from Cockman found  Stokes who laid in Knight but his effort was tipped wide by Ohman.

And from the second corner in the attack the ball came out to Cockman whose fierce drive at goal was diverted over by Stokes.  It meant the teams reached the half goalless although the visitors would have been the happier so far.

Half Time Bowers & Pitsea 0 Egham Town 0

Bowers came out much better than they had begun the first period and saw Sartain try a spectacular dipping effort from range early in the half but it went over the visitors bar and then seven minutes later Jamie Salmon curled a free kick over the bar.

But just before the hour mark Bowers were rewarded for their decent spell when Jamie Dicks sent a corner to the back post and into a posse of defenders on the line who made a mess of it and hacked into the corner of their own net.  Who got the final touch is anyone’s guess but it was definitely an own goal and Bowers had a slender advantage.

Egham tried to respond five minutes later when substitute Lewis Stead drilled a free kick from distance but this was saved by Chafer then up the other end Bowers had a great chance to possibly kill the visitors off when Knight saw a close range header saved by Ohman before the rebound was scrambled wide.

With thirteen minutes left a cross into the Bowers box saw Chafer fail to claim under pressure but Woods could only hook the loose ball wide and then two minutes later they went even closer when
substitute Brendan Matthews glanced a header over Chafer but onto the post and Bowers survived.

However they could survive only a minute longer as with ten minutes left the visitors found an equaliser as Woods got in and squared across goal to substitute Ryan De Battista who rammed home first time and set up a frantic final few minutes.

But neither side could find a winner as the game became rather fractious at times, and so it ended all square setting up a replay in Surrey next week.  Should be a tasty one that.

Full Time Bowers & Pitsea 1 Egham Town 1

So it was off to Surrey and a replay at The Runnymeade Stadium.  The replay was due to take place on Tuesday 31st October, however at around 7.25pm the lights on the dugout/stand side went out and after they were left to recharge for half an hour they attempted to turn them back on, sadly they would not play ball and the match was postponed at around 8.10pm, meaning the teams would have to wait a whole week to contest the replay.

Anyway it did eventually take place on Tuesday 7th November and here is how it panned out:-
Egham Town 3 Bowers & Pitsea 5 (aet) 
Bowers set up an away tie at Margate on Saturday after seeing off Egham Town at The Runnymeade Stadium in what was an extraordinary Trophy replay.  

Stokes had an early chance for the visitors but it was the only noteworthy moment in the early stages on what was a very heavy and slippery surface, a result from the falling rain.  Egham's first chance saw Matthew try his luck from the edge of the area but it was easy for Chafer.

However moments later huge controversy rained down on the contest when Knight was adjudged to have been fouled when running through by Wiseman, and the hosts defender was shown a straight red card although the hosts were appealing he had won the ball.  It meant the hosts were a man down for the remainder of the contest.

And in the 17 minute the Bowers got their noses in front as from the resulting free kick Knight struck his free kick into the bottom corner and the visitors were a man and a goal up early on.

Moments later though Bowers keeper Chafer had to be alert to tip a Phillips free kick over with the corner causing a scramble inside the area before the visitors cleared, as Bowers managed to maintain that lead.

Seven minutes before the break good play between Knight and T Stokes gave the visitors a sight of goal, but the former could not get his shot away as the rain continued to fall.

And with four minutes of the half left the ten men found a leveller when Matthew produced a great strike to find the top corner and bring his side on level terms, although two minutes later Bowers almost retook the lead when T Stokes saw a header cleared off the line, meaning the sides went in level at the break.

Half Time Egham Town 1 Bowers & Pitsea 1

Three minutes into the second period a mistake from Bowers defender M Stokes handed the ball to Woods, but his shot was held by Chafer, and two minutes later down the other end better football from Bowers saw Nyanja found Knight who back heeled to T Stokes, but his effort went wide.

Bowers went close to taking the lead though when Dicks struck a 56th minute effort against the post, and two minutes later Knight's corner found M Stokes but his header went wide of the Egham goal.

The visitors found another chance on the hour mark when Ashman's cross found T Stokes but his shot was blocked by Nolan, but with twelve minutes remaining it was ten a side when Salmon was sent off for a stamp and this seemed to boost Egham somewhat.

With eight minutes left Chafer had to make a save from Nolan as the momentum was well and truly with the Surrey side, and in the 91st minute the hosts appeared to have scored the winner when De Battista found Matthew who smashed home.

But unbelievably in the 93rd minute Bowers won a corner and Knight took it and found keeper Chafer, who had come up for the corner in a last throw of the dice, to power home a header and take this one to extra time, what drama indeed!!!

Full Time Egham Town 2 Bowers & Pitsea 2

The early exchanges of extra time yielded little action, probably because both sides were still trying to recover from that crazy end to normal time, and the fact the pitch, now saturated due to all the rain, was not helping the cause.

A minute before the end of the first period of extra time a ball back into the area from Thomas almost bounced over Egham keeper Ohman's head, whilst two minutes into the second period M Stokes sent a volley over the hosts bar.

However in the 109th minute Bowers got their noses in front when Manor, who had been playing centre half for most of the time he had been on, got forward to head home a Yuill cross but in the 117th minute Matthew grabbed his hat-trick when converting from the spot and it looked like penalties would be needed to separate these two.

But this crazy, unbelievable tie had one final twist when Sartain laid a ball off to Thomas who crossed for Knight to net an 118th minute goal, and then in the 120th minute Bowers sealed the deal finally when T Stokes scored and finally end what had been a remarkable 120 minutes of football.

Full Time (aet) Egham Town 3 Bowers & Pitsea 5

Wow!!! What a replay that was, and Bowers now travel to face Margate on the Kent coast this weekend (Saturday 11th November).  Or so we thought.....as this match has now been postponed.  I understand this is due to Bowers being charged by the Football Association regarding a possible breach of Rule E10- the rule that governs a player being fielded whilst suspended.  A hearing will be held on Wednesday 15th November 2017.   So for now we do not know who will be playing Margate in the next round.  Watch this space!!!

Anyway here are the First Qualifying Round Results in full:-
Friday 27th October
Kingstonian 3 Thurrock 3

Saturday 28th October
Sittingbourne 1 Merstham 1
Ashton United 4 Frickley Athletic 1
Glossop North End 3 Matlock Town 2
Mossley AFC 0 Lancaster City 1
Ossett Town 1 Droylsden 3
Altrincham 3 Clitheroe 0
Farsley Celtic AFC 1 South Shields 1
Buxton 1 Cleethorpes Town 2
Warrington Town 2 Bamber Bridge 1
Shaw Lane 2 Ramsbottom United 2
Whitby Town 1 Marine 3
Prescot Cables 0 Stalybridge Celtic 0
Kendal Town 2 Atherton Colleries 4
Workington AFC 4 Witton Albion 0
Grantham Town 1 Halesowen Town 0
Rushall Olympic 2 Nantwich Town 0
Hednesford Town 1 Mickleover Sports 0
Newcastle Town 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 2
Stratford Town 2 Bedworth United 1
Chasetown 2 Spalding United 1
Stafford Rangers 6 St Ives Town 0
Barwell 1 Carlton Town 0
Stamford AFC 3 Sutton Coldfield Town 0
St Neots Town 3 Corby Town 2
Redditch United 0 Coalville Town 1
Cambridge City 0 Alvechurch 2
Leek Town 3 Kettering Town 2
Stourbridge 1 Basford United 0
Hitchin Town 5 Cheshunt 0
Dorking Wanderers 5 Ware 0
Maldon & Tiptree 3 Walton Casuals 0
Billericay Town 3 Tooting & Mitcham United 1
Leatherhead 1 Hythe Town 0
Bishop's Stortford 4 Hanwell Town 0
Needham Market 3 Arlesey Town 1
King's Lynn Town 0 Mildenhall Town 1
Hendon 3 Kings Langley 1
Aylesbury 0 Harlow Town 0
Barking 0 Beaconsfield Town 2
Brentwood Town 0 Bedford Town 0
Tonbridge Angels 3 Heybridge Swifts 3
Bury Town 1 Chalfont St Peter 1
Hastings United 3 Ashford Town (Middx) 4
Metropolitan Police 3 AFC Sudbury 0
Dunstable Town 1 Lewes 4
Corinthian Casuals 3 Hertford Town 1
Cray Wanderers 2 Grays Athletic 2
Worthing 3 Lowestoft Town 0
Staines Town 0 Margate 3
Waltham Abbey 0 Dulwich Hamlet 3
Royston Town 2 Enfield Town 0
Potters Bar Town 3 Witham Town 0
Harrow Borough 1 Haringey Borough 1
Leiston 1 Folkestone Invicta 1
Burgess Hill Town 2 Aveley 0
Bowers & Pitsea 1 Egham Town 1
Biggleswade Town 0 Wingate & Finchley 5
Hayes & Yeading United 0 Chesham United 3
Taunton Town 2 Merthyr Town 1
Dorchester Town 2 Basingstoke Town 1
Paulton Rovers 2 Cirencester Town 2
Gosport Borough 1 Bristol Manor Farm 0
Yate Town 0 Moneyfields 1
Thame United 5 Wimborne Town 0
Larkhall Athletic 1 Farnborough 3
Swindon Supermarine 0 Hartley Wintney 3
Hereford 4 Weymouth 1
Tiverton Town 2 Banbury United 2
Kidlington 1 Slough Town 4
Shortwood United 2 Frome Town 0

Sunday 29th October
Thamesmead Town 3 Brightlingsea Regent 1

Monday 30th October
Replay
Haringey Borough 1 Harrow Borough 0

Tuesday 31st October
Replays
South Shields 4 Farsley Celtic AFC 3 (AET)
Ramsbottom United 4 Shaw Lane 1 (AET)
Stalybridge Celtic 5 Prescot Cables 1
Merstham 0 Sittingbourne 2
Harlow Town 4 Aylesbury 2
Bedford Town 2 Brentwood Town 4
Heybridge Swifts 2 Tonbridge Angels 1
Chalfont St Peter 0 Bury Town 3
Folkestone Invicta 1 Leiston 1 (AET, Leiston won 6-5 on penalties)
Thurrock 1 Kingstonian 4
Cirencester Town 0 Paulton Rovers 4
Banbury United 3 Tiverton Town 2

Wednesday 1st November 
Replays
Kidsgrove Athletic 2 Newcastle Town 1
Grays Athletic 0 Cray Wanderers 2

Tuesday 7th November
Replay
Egham Town 3 Bowers & Pitsea 5 (AET) (result subject to FA investigation)

And here are the fixtures for the Second Qualifying Round taking place this weekend:-
Saturday 11th November
Lancaster City VS Stratford Town
Kidsgrove Athletic VS Grantham Town
Alvechurch VS Coalville Town
Warrington Town VS Ashton United
Altrincham VS Ramsbottom United
Stalybridge Celtic VS Rushall Olympic
Glossop North End VS Leek Town
Stamford AFC VS Droylsden
Chasetown VS Workington AFC
Hednesford Town VS Cleethorpes Town
Atherton Collieries VS Marine
St Neots Town VS Stourbridge
Barwell VS Mildenhall Town
Stafford Rangers VS South Shields
Chesham United VS Hitchin Town
Taunton Town VS Beaconsfield Town
Brentwood Town VS Needham Market
Hereford VS Potters Bar Town
Corinthian-Casuals VS Wingate & Finchley
Lewes VS Bishop's Stortford
Dorchester Town VS Heybridge Swifts
Harlow Town VS Dulwich Hamlet
Hendon VS Burgess Hill Town
Ashford Town (Middx) VS Kingstonian
Maldon & Tiptree VS Slough Town
Sittingbourne VS Haringey Borough
Thamesmead Town VS Metropolitan Police
Royston Town VS Leatherhead
Hartley Wintney VS Gosport Borough
Farnborough VS Banbury United
Thame United VS Worthing
Paulton Rovers VS Shortwood United
Margate P - P Bowers & Pitsea (pending FA investigation)
Billericay Town VS Bury Town
Dorking Wanderers VS Leiston
Moneyfields VS Cray Wanderers

So that completes my blog on the First Qualifying Round tie, my featured game has been postponed awaiting the result of the FA investigation into Bowers & Pitsea, as I said the hearing is next week (Wednesday 15th November) so we will know after this whether Margate will host either Bowers & Pitsea or Egham Town and what date it will take place. 

Season 2017/18 - Preliminary Round

Saturday 7th October
Bowers & Pitsea 2 Dereham Town 2
My FA Trophy trail for this season began at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea, Essex, for Bowers & Pitsea vs Dereham Town in an all Bostick North Preliminary Round tie.

Both teams had started their league seasons well and sat third and fifth respectively so a close battle was expected.

It was the hosts who saw the first opening on three minutes as Knight got the other side of the visitors back line but saw the defence recover to make a last ditch tackle to thwart him, although he wanted a penalty claiming he had been fouled.

On ten minutes Knight hit an effort straight at Dereham keeper Pride after a cutback from Ashman then moments later Dereham hit the bar after going up the other end, it was a big let off for the hosts.
On the quarter hour mark Crisp diverted a cross just over the Bowers bar as the visitors went close again but five minutes later the hosts went close when a great Bowers move ended with the ball finding Tony Stokes in the middle, but he got his feet in a tangle and saw the chance wasted, before Bowers got in again but saw Pride save the effort.

The resulting corner saw Nyanja receive the ball in a decent position inside the box however he could only sky his effort well over the bar and in the 28th minute another hosts corner saw centre half Martyn Stokes send a free header at the back post well over.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and with seven minutes of the half remaining were almost gifted the lead when a poor header back by the visitors went straight to Knight, and he rounded Pride but couldn’t get his shot away from a tight angle, and from the corner Martyn Stokes struck an effort off the bar and over.

It meant the half ended goalless, a half Bowers should of been two of three goals in front, however Dereham were still in the tie.

Half Time Bowers & Pitsea 0 Dereham Town 0

Bowers continued to pressure Dereham at the start of the second period and four minutes into it forced an error in the back line which was pounced on by Tony Stokes who dinked an effort over Pride and into the net and the hosts had finally broke though.

On the hour mark another great Bowers move ended with a Sartain effort pushed away by Pride as they looked for a second and a more comfortable position in this tie.

However the visitors exploded into life and levelled on 62 minutes as a ball played into Logan saw him lift an effort beyond Chaffer and suddenly we were all square.

Three minutes later Logan fired a decent effort straight at Chaffer as the visitors tails were well and truly up after that goal, and midway through the half went close to taking the lead when the impressive Logan cut inside onto his left foot and smacked an effort off the bar.

But with just under twenty minutes left Dereham did grab the lead as centre half Ebbage got the faintest of touches to an inswinging free kick and divert the ball into the far corner and The Magpies were now in the driving seat.

Bowers should of wiped out that lead five minutes later though when Sartain got in for the hosts, but he clipped his effort wide of the far post. It had been another great chance for Bowers in a game where they had squandered many.

With eight minutes left Logan threatened again for visitors, driving across the box before hitting a right footed effort just wide of the near post, whilst both sides also had free headers at goal but both were wasted.

But just as the game reached the 90 minute mark Bowers were level as after Sartain had sent a terrific long range dipping effort against the bar, Tony Stokes was the only one to react and prodded the rebound over the line to earn the hosts a replay at Aldiss Park on Tuesday evening.

It should be another decent cup tie in Norfolk, and the winners host Egham Town in the next round.

Full Time Bowers & Pitsea 2 Dereham Town 2

So it was off to Norfolk and a replay at Aldiss Park, and here is how that replay went:-
Dereham Town 1 Bowers & Pitsea 4 
Bowers set up a home tie with Egham Town at the end of October after seeing off Dereham Town at Aldiss Park. 

Bowers had an early chance in just the fifth minute when Farhad Nyanja saw a cross headed away to Johnny Ashman whose volley went wide but in the 28th minute the visitors found the breakthrough when Jamie Dicks produced a cross for Jamie Salmon to flick home into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot.

Just past the half hour mark the hosts created a chance but the cross was headed over by Ebbage.   It was a free header and a warning to the visitors however with eight minutes of the half remaning Bowers doubled their lead when a ball in from David Knight saw Tony Stokes rise to nod home and give the visitors breathing space.

And just three minutes later it got even better for the South Essex side as Dicks grabbed his first goal for the club, and it was a beauty as well, as after receving a ball from Ashman he bent one in from twenty five yards and the visitors were cruising and went into the break three goals to the good.

Half Time Dereham Town 0 Bowers & Pitsea 3

Dereham knew they needed a quick goal back to have any chance of a fightback and seven minutes into the second period saw a fantastic block from Martyn Stokes deny them a way back into the game before four minutes later the visitors attacked and saw a free kick in from Salmon headed just over by Lewis Clark.

However Dereham did then find a way back into the contest when Ashley Jarvis tapped home after a nod down by Ebbage, only for Bowers to quosh any thoughts of a miracle comeback when Gavin Cockman smashed home to restore their three goal cushion.

Dereham kept fighting though and in the 79th minute Jarvis headed over the Bowers bar before visiting keeper Callum Chafer had to make a save to keep Dereham at bay four minutes later.
It was too little to late though for the hosts who crash out of the FA Trophy for another season and sees Bowers & Pitsea host Egham Town in the next round on Saturday 28th October.

Full Time Dereham Town 1 Bowers & Pitsea 4

Right here are the Preliminary Round Results in full:-
Saturday 7th October
Ossett Albion 1 Droylsden 1
Ramsbottom United 3 Colwyn Bay 0
Bamber Bridge 4 Brighouse Town 2
Cleethorpes Town 2 Hyde United 1
Mossley AFC 3 Skelmersdale United 1
Kendal Town 2 Radcliffe Borough 1
Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 Atherton Colleries 4
Scarborough Athletic 2 South Shields 5
Tadcaster Albion 0 Glossop North End 2
Ossett Town 3 Goole AFC 0
Prescot Cables 3 Trafford 1
Clitheroe 3 Colne 0
Sheffield 0 Frickley Athletic 3
Newcastle Town 3 Soham Town Rangers 0
Chasetown 2 Market Drayton Town 0
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 Kidsgrove Athletic 3
Basford United 3 Peterborough Sports 0
Stamford AFC 3 Loughborough Dynamo 0
Belper Town 1 Alvechurch 2
Gresley 0 Bedworth United 1
Leek Town 4 Lincoln United 1
Greenwich Borough 0 Hanwell Town 1
Heybridge Swifts 2 Carshalton Athletic 0
Hertford Town W - O Guernsey (walkover for Hertford Town - Guernsey withdrawn)
Kempston Rovers 0 Hythe Town 1
Potters Bar Town 4 Tilbury 0
Ashford United 0 Sittingbourne 3
Egham Town 7 Shoreham 1
Northwood 2 Maldon & Tiptree 5
AFC Sudbury 2 Aylesbury United 2
Waltham Abbey 2 Faversham Town 1
VCD Athletic 0 Bedford Town 1
Haringey Borough 3 Whyteleafe 0
Bowers & Pitsea 2 Dereham Town 2
Cray Wanderers 8 Horsham 0
Chipstead 1 Barking 1
East Grinstead Town 2 Lewes 4
Corinthian Casuals 2 AFC Dunstable 0
Cheshunt 3 Herne Bay 0
Ramsgate 3 Bury Town 5
Hayes & Yeading United 3 Barton Rovers 1
Brentwood Town 3 South Park 3
Walton Casuals 3 Canvey Island 0
Phoenix Sports 0 Chalfont St Peter 3
Ashford Town (Middx) 4 Uxbridge 1
Grays Athletic 4 Norwich United 3
Aylesbury 4 Molesey 3
Marlow 0 Aveley 0
Taunton Town 1 AFC Totton 1
Mangotsfield United 0 Thame United 1
Bishop's Cleeve 0 Larkhall Athletic 1
Shortwood United 1 Didcot Town 0
Fleet Town 1 Yate Town 1
North Leigh 1 Wimborne Town 3
Moneyfields 4 Bideford AFC 2
Swindon Supermarine 1 Barnstaple Town 0
Salisbury 2 Paulton Rovers 3
Slimbridge AFC 0 Hartley Wintney 1
Bristol Manor Farm 4 Cinderford Town 1
Kidlington 3 Winchester City 1

Sunday 8th October
Romford 0 Hastings United 1
Romulus 0 Corby Town 2
Thamesmead Town 1 AFC Hornchurch 1
Evesham United 2 Cirencester Town 3

Monday 9th October
Replay
Aveley 5 Marlow 3 (AET)

Tuesday 10th October
Replays
Droylsden 1 Ossett Albion 1 (AET; Droylsden won 4-2 on penalties)
AFC Hornchurch 1 Thamesmead Town 2
Dereham Town 1 Bowers & Pitsea 4
Barking 2 Chipstead 1
South Park 2 Brentwood Town 7
AFC Totton 1 Taunton Town 2 (AET)
Yate Town 2 Fleet Town 1

Wednesday 11th October
Aylesbury United 1 AFC Sudbury 2

So the winning sides went through to the First Qualifying Round and here are those 72 ties that take place this weekend:-
Friday 27th October
Kingstonian VS Thurrock

Saturday 28th October
Sittingbourne VS Merstham
Ashton United VS Frickley Athletic
Glossop North End VS Matlock Town
Mossley AFC VS Lancaster City
Ossett Town VS Droylsden
Altrincham VS Clitheroe
Farsley Celtic VS South Shields
Buxton VS Cleethorpes Town
Warrington Town VS Bamber Bridge
Shaw Lane Association VS Ramsbottom United
Whitby Town VS Marine
Prescot Cables VS Stalybridge Celtic
Kendal Town VS Atherton Collieries
Workington AFC VS Witton Albion
Grantham Town VS Halesowen Town
Rushall Olympic VS Nantwich Town
Hednesford Town VS Mickleover Sports
Newcastle Town VS Kidsgrove Athletic
Stratford Town VS Bedworth United
Chasetown VS Spalding United
Stafford Rangers VS St Ives Town
Barwell VS Carlton Town
Stamford AFC VS Sutton Coldfield Town
St Neots Town VS Corby Town
Redditch United VS Coalville Town
Cambridge City VS Alvechurch
Leek Town VS Kettering Town
Stourbridge VS Basford United
Hitchin Town VS Cheshunt
Dorking Wanderers VS Ware
Maldon & Tiptree VS Walton Casuals
Billericay Town VS Tooting & Mitcham United
Leatherhead VS Hythe Town
Bishop's Stortford VS Hanwell Town
Needham Market VS Arlesey Town
King's Lynn Town VS Mildenhall Town
Hendon VS Kings Langley
Aylesbury VS Harlow Town
Barking VS Beaconsfield Town
Brentwood Town VS Bedford Town
Tonbridge Angels VS Heybridge Swifts
Bury Town VS Chalfont St Peter
Hastings United VS Ashford Town (Middx)
Metropolitan Police VS AFC Sudbury
Dunstable Town VS Lewes
Corinthian-Casuals VS Hertford Town
Cray Wanderers VS Grays Athletic
Worthing VS Lowestoft Town
Staines Town VS Margate
Waltham Abbey VS Dulwich Hamlet
Royston Town VS Enfield Town
Potters Bar Town VS Witham Town
Harrow Borough VS Haringey Borough
Leiston VS Folkestone Invicta
Burgess Hill Town VS Aveley
Bowers & Pitsea VS Egham Town
Biggleswade Town VS Wingate & Finchley
Hayes & Yeading United VS Chesham United
Taunton Town VS Merthyr Town
Dorchester Town VS Basingstoke Town
Paulton Rovers VS Cirencester Town
Gosport Borough VS Bristol Manor Farm
Yate Town VS Moneyfields
Thame United VS Wimborne Town
Larkhall Athletic VS Farnborough
Swindon Supermarine VS Hartley Wintney
Hereford VS Weymouth
Tiverton Town VS Banbury United
Kidlington VS Slough Town
Shortwood United VS Frome Town

Sunday 29th October
Thamesmead Town VS Brightlingsea Regent

I'll be back at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea for Bowers & Pitsea Vs Egham Town.  Bowers sit fifth in the Bostick North having won eight, drawn one and lost five in their fourteen matches whilst their opponents from Surrey sit seventh in the Evo Stik Southern East, the same level as the Bostick North, having won six, drawn two and lost three of their games.  Egham demolished Shoreham 7-1 at home in the last round although this one will be a much tougher test at Bowers and it should be a decent cup tie.

Season 2017/18 - Prelim/First Qualy Round Preview

York City celebrate after winning last season's final at Wembley against Macclesfield Town (thanks to the FA.com for the photo)

So the Buildbase FA Trophy gets underway this weekend, and the competition sees Non League clubs from Steps 1-4 taking part (Vanarama National, North and South Leagues as well as Evo-Stik Southern Premier and First Divisions, Bostick Premier and First Divisions and also the Evo-Stik Northern Premier and First Divisions.

Thats a total of 276 sides in all and sees the Preliminary Round stage take place this weekend, with 128 clubs entering at this stage. 

Here are those 64 Preliminary Round ties:-
Saturday 7th October
Ossett Albion VS Droylsden
Ramsbottom United VS Colwyn Bay
Bamber Bridge VS Brighouse Town
Cleethorpes Town VS Hyde United
Mossley AFC VS Skelmersdale United
Kendal Town VS Radcliffe Borough
Stocksbridge Park Steels VS Atherton Collieries
Scarborough Athletic VS South Shields
Tadcaster Albion VS Glossop North End
Ossett Town VS Goole AFC
Prescot Cables VS Trafford
Clitheroe VS Colne
Sheffield VS Frickley Athletic
Newcastle Town VS Soham Town Rangers
Chasetown VS Market Drayton Town
AFC Rushden & Diamonds VS Kidsgrove Athletic
Basford United VS Peterborough Sports
Stamford AFC VS Loughborough Dynamo
Belper Town VS Alvechurch
Gresley VS Bedworth United
Leek Town VS Lincoln United
Greenwich Borough VS Hanwell Town
Heybridge Swifts VS Carshalton Athletic
Kempston Rovers VS Hythe Town
Potters Bar Town VS Tilbury
Ashford United_ VS Sittingbourne
Egham Town VS Shoreham
Northwood VS Maldon & Tiptree
AFC Sudbury VS Aylesbury United
Waltham Abbey VS Faversham Town
VCD Athletic VS Bedford Town
Haringey Borough VS Whyteleafe
Bowers & Pitsea VS Dereham Town
Cray Wanderers VS Horsham
Chipstead VS Barking
East Grinstead Town VS Lewes
Corinthian-Casuals VS AFC Dunstable
Cheshunt VS Herne Bay
Ramsgate VS Bury Town
Hayes & Yeading United VS Barton Rovers
Brentwood Town VS South Park
Walton Casuals VS Canvey Island
Phoenix Sports VS Chalfont St Peter
Ashford Town (Middx) VS Uxbridge
Grays Athletic VS Norwich United
Aylesbury VS Molesey
Marlow VS Aveley
Taunton Town VS AFC Totton
Mangotsfield United VS Thame United
Bishop's Cleeve VS Larkhall Athletic
Shortwood United VS Didcot Town
Fleet Town VS Yate Town
North Leigh VS Wimborne Town
Moneyfields VS Bideford AFC
Swindon Supermarine VS Barnstaple Town
Salisbury VS Paulton Rovers
Slimbridge AFC VS Hartley Wintney
Bristol Manor Farm VS Cinderford Town
Kidlington VS Winchester City

Sunday 8th October
Romford VS Hastings United
Romulus VS Corby Town
Thamesmead Town VS AFC Hornchurch
Evesham United VS Cirencester Town

Last year's FA Vase finalists (Cleethorpes Town and South Shields) were both promoted to Step Four over the summer so now take their place in this compeition, and the winners South Shields travel to Scarborough Athletic whilst runners up Cleethorpes Town host Hyde United. 

My featured game will be at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea as Bowers & Pitsea, FA Vase semi finalists from two season's ago, host Norfolk side Dereham Town in an all Bostick North Division tie.  And both sides have had decent starts to their seasons, Bowers sit third in the league with seven wins from eleven and are just two points off the top, whilst Dereham sit fifth just two points back having won six of their ten league starts.  It's therefore a hard one to call so a decent battle awaits!!!  The winners will host either Egham Town or Shoreham in three weekends time in the First Qualifying Round.

Here is that First Qualifying Round draw in full, with ties due to take place over the weekend of October 28th:-
Ashton United VS Sheffield / Frickley A
Tadcaster / Glossop NE VS Matlock Town
Mossley AFC / Skelm Utd VS Lancaster City
Ossett Town / Goole AFC VS Ossett / Droylsden
Altrincham VS Clitheroe / Colne
Farsley Celtic VS Scarboro A / S Shields
Buxton VS Cleethorpes Town / Hyde United
Warrington Town VS Bamber B / Brighouse
Shaw Lane Association VS Ramsbottom / Colwyn Bay
Whitby Town VS Marine
Precot C / Trafford VS Stalybridge Celtic
Kendal Town / Radcliffe B VS Stck Pk Stl / Atherton
Workington AFC VS Witton Albion
Grantham Town VS Halesowen Town
Rushall Olympic VS Nantwich Town
Hednesford Town VS Mickleover Sports
Newcastle T / Soham Town VS AFC Rushden & Diamonds / Kidsgrove
Stratford Town VS Gresley / Bedworth
Chasetown / Mark Dray VS Spalding United
Stafford Rangers VS St Ives Town
Barwell VS Carlton Town
Stamford / Loughboro D VS Sutton Coldfield Town
St Neots Town VS Romulus / Corby Town
Redditch United VS Coalville Town
Cambridge City VS Belper Town / Alvechurch
Leek Town / Lincoln U VS Kettering Town
Stourbridge VS Basford United / Peterborough Sports
Hitchin Town VS Cheshunt / Herne Bay
Dorking Wanderers VS Ware
Northwood / Mald & Tip VS Walt Cas / Canvey Is
Billericay Town VS Tooting & Mitcham United
Leatherhead VS AFC K'pston / Hythe Town
Ashford United_ / Sit'Bourne VS Merstham
Bishop's Stortford VS Greenwich B / Hanwell T
Needham Market VS Arlesey Town
King's Lynn Town VS Mildenhall Town
Hendon VS Kings Langley
Aylesbury / Molesey VS Harlow Town
Chipstead / Barking VS Beaconsfield Town
Brentwood / South Park VS VCD Ath / Bedford T
Tonbridge Angels VS Heybridge S / Carshalton
Ramsgate / Bury Town VS Phoenix Sports / Chalfont StP
Romford / Hastings U VS Ashford T / Uxbridge
Metropolitan Police VS AFC Sudbury / Aylesbury
Dunstable Town VS East Grinstead Town / Lewes
Cor-Casuals / AFC D'stable VS Hertford Town
Cray Wands / Horsham VS Grays Ath / Norwich U
Worthing VS Lowestoft Town
Staines Town VS Margate
Waltham A / Faversham VS Dulwich Hamlet
Thamesmead / AFC H'church VS Brightlingsea Regent
Royston Town VS Enfield Town
Potters Bar / Tilbury VS Witham Town
Harrow Borough VS Haringey B / Whyteleafe
Leiston VS Folkestone Invicta
Burgess Hill Town VS Marlow / Aveley
Bowers & P / Dereham VS Egham Town / Shoreham
Biggleswade Town VS Wingate & Finchley
Kingstonian VS Thurrock
Hayes & Yead / Barton Rov VS Chesham United
Taunton / AFC Totton VS Merthyr Town
Dorchester Town VS Basingstoke Town
Salisbury / Paulton R VS Evesham / Cirencester
Gosport Borough VS Bristol MF / Cinderford
Fleet Town / Yate Town VS Moneyfields / Bideford
Mangotsfield / Thame Utd VS North Leigh / Wimborne
B Cleeve / Larkhall VS Farnborough
Swindon S / Barnstaple VS Slimbridge / Hartley W
Hereford VS Weymouth
Tiverton Town VS Banbury United
Kidlington / Winchester VS Slough Town
Shortwood U / Didcot Town VS Frome Town


The winning 72 sides then proceed to the Second Qualifying Round draw which takes place after that round at the end of October.  For now it's the Preliminary Round and I'll be back with a review of my featured game as well as results and an updated First Qualifying Round draw once the Prelim Round is complete.