Season 2017-18 - Preliminary Round

Saturday 19th August
Long Melford 1 FC Romania 2
The Emirates FA Cup returned this weekend and my latest game in my journey took me to Stoneylands for the very first time to see Long Melford host FC Romania in a Preliminary Round tie.

The hosts knocked out Hackney Wick away in the last round whilst the visitors needed a replay to finally dispatch Waltham Forest in their Extra Preliminary Round contest. After chatting with home and away officials and having a nice cup of coffee made by the home sides chairman (which was a nice touch) it was almost time for action.

The pitch was a like a carpet it has to be said, one of the best I’ve seen at this level, and it certainly suited good passing football. The opening ten minutes saw Melford create two openings, both headers, with one straight at keeper Razvan Negrila and the other one headed wide, whilst the visitors saw an effort saved well by Darren Moyes.

The hosts were then gifted a chance when a poor backpass allowed them in on goal but the effort was saved well by Negrila who had come to close the shot down.

The visitors then saw a couple of efforts blocked inside the hosts box whilst Melford saw an effort of their own well saved by Negrila in what was a fairly decent game even if their had been no goals thus far.

That was until the 26th minute when the visitors got their noses in front as hesitation in the box from the defence allowed Sergiu Pitaru to pounce and slot home, this moments after hesitant Melford defending saw the visitors drive wide of the far post, but the hosts hadn’t learned their lesson and found themselves behind.

Melford saw an effort blocked as they tried to respond to going behind before home keeper Moyes had to tip over a decent strike to prevent his side going further behind.

But with eight minutes to go before the break the Romanians did double their advantage when a great team move saw Toby Cleaver played in down the right and he duly slotted across keeper Moyes and into the far corner. It was a great goal and drew applause from all inside the ground.

The hosts came close to immediately reducing the deficit but saw the ball hacked away from goal after keeper Negrila had seen the ball lobbed over him by pacey winger Hassan Ally.

Pitaru almost grabbed his second minutes before the break but saw his close range effort go straight at Moyes, whilst Melford saw a weak header go straight at Negrila and it meant the visitors went into the half time interval with a useful two goal cushion.

Melford knew they had to get the next goal if they were to have any realistic chance of pulling this tie back but the early exchanges of the second period saw two visiting efforts go close, one a long range effort well saved by Moyes and then another shot whistled over from an angle.

And by the time the game had reached the hour mark the visitors should of been out of sight but could not take advantage of some decent openings that came their way.

Melford were trying hard though and as the game entered it’s final twenty minutes or so started to apply pressure on the visitors goal, sending a header wide and then seeing a looping header go over, but it was clear that the home side were not out of this tie yet.

And from their next attack Luke Payne thought he had headed Melford right back into the tie after heading in off the post, however the linesman’s flag had gone up so the goal did not count. The hosts were rather upset by this decision as they claimed the ball had gone backwards when crossed, however it didn’t stand but it was a warning for the visitors.

And as the contest entered it’s final ten minutes Melford glanced a header onto the post as they continued to threaten. The visitors needed to raise their game here as a goal back for the hosts would really see them come under serious pressure.

And sure enough the hosts found a goal with six minutes of normal time remaining when the ball fell to substitute Nathan Rowe and he slotted the ball into the corner of the net and it was now very much game on.

The visitors did catch the hosts on the break on one occasion as they pressed forward for an equaliser but saw George Taban’s effort chalked off for offside then moments later they visitors sent an effort wide of the far post as the game entered stoppage time.

The hosts huffed and puffed but just could not find a way through the hard working FCR backline and after several minutes of stoppage time referee Michael Jarvis brought an end to proceedings and the ESL visitors were in the next round.

The Romanians made harder work of this than they probably should of however you have to applaud how Long Melford pushed them hard and could of easily earned a replay in the end. However its FC Romania who made it through to the First Qualifying Round and they face another trip, this time to North London/Hertfordshire and Brickfield Lane, after they drew Hadley away.

Hadley are of course managed by former cup winner Micky Hazard and ironically they were part of my cup journey last season when they reached the Third Qualifying Round stage before losing out to Eastbourne Borough from the Vanarama South after a replay.  Should prove to be another tight contest!!!

Here are some photos of my day at Stoneylands:-

Here are the results in full from the Preliminary Round:-
Friday 18th August 
Prescot Cables 2 City of Liverpool 2
Cambridge City 1 Stamford AFC 0
Potton United 2 AFC Dunstable 0
AC London 1 Egham Town 5

Saturday 19 August 2017
South Shields 3 Bridlington Town 1
Albion Sports 2 Newton Aycliffe 1
Sunderland RCA 4 Ashington 0
Guisborough Town 1 Shildon 5
Goole AFC 1 Newcastle Benfield 2
Barnoldswick Town 2 Dunston UTS 1
Tadcaster Albion 0 Colne 1
Harrogate Railway Athletic 1 Kendal Town 1
Scarborough Athletic 1 Marske United 1
Consett 4 Heaton Stannington 0
Penrith 1 Whitley Bay 1
Abbey Hey 2 Maine Road 2
Sheffield 0 Ossett Town 2
Penistone Church 2 Litherland Remyca 0
Bamber Bridge 3 Brighouse Town 2
Frickley Athletic 2 Runcorn Town 1
Ramsbottom United 2 Liversedge 3
Pontefract Collieries 1 Skelmersdale United 2
Ashton Athletic 4 Runcorn Linnets 2
Parkgate 2 Handsworth Parramore 4
Trafford 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 2
1874 Northwich 3 West Didsbury & Chorlton 3
Glossop North End 0 Mossley AFC 2
Hyde United 4 Congleton Town 2
Ossett Albion 3 Droylsden 4
Colwyn Bay 3 Stocksbridge Park Steels 0
Radcliffe Borough 1 Burscough 1
Leek Town 2 Cammell Laird 1907 0
Sporting Khalsa 1 Market Drayton Town 1
Alvechurch 2 Hanley Town 0
Walsall Wood 0 Tividale 1
Bedworth United 0 Haughmond 2
Rugby Town 2 Romulus 3
Bromsgrove Sporting 3 Coleshill Town 4
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Boldmere St Michaels 2
Brocton 2 Gresley 0
Newcastle Town 1 Evesham United 1
AFC Wulfrunians 1 Westfields 1
Birstall United 0 Cleethorpes Town 3
Shepshed Dynamo 3 Kimberley MW 0
Kirby Muxloe 0 Dunkirk 2
Grimsby Borough 4 Leicester Road 1
Oadby Town 1 Loughborough Dynamo 3
Hinckley AFC 4 Aylestone Park 1
Staveley MW 0 Basford United 1
Boston Town 3 Carlton Town 2
Lincoln United 0 Belper Town 0
Bottesford Town 4 Clipstone 1
Wisbech Town 2 Spalding United 2
Dereham Town 3 Corby Town 0
Barton Rovers 1 Deeping Rangers 2
Yaxley 5 Harborough Town 3
Holbeach United 6 Northampton On Chenecks 1
Newport Pagnell Town 3 Kempston Rovers 3
Arlesey Town 3 Desborough Town 1
Soham Town Rangers 3 Cogenhoe United 2
Eynesbury Rovers 1 Peterborough Sports 1
Wellingborough Town 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4
Bedford Town 3 Swaffham Town 1
Bury Town 1 Tilbury 2
Southend Manor 2 Gorleston 3
Bowers & Pitsea 0 Haringey Borough 2
Maldon & Tiptree 5 Waltham Abbey 1
AFC Hornchurch 2 Brentwood Town 0
Canvey Island 0 Witham Town 2
Clapton 2 Norwich United 0
Framlingham Town 0 Mildenhall Town 1
Haverhill Rovers 1 Heybridge Swifts 1
Newmarket Town 1 Ware 2
Tower Hamlets 0 Takeley 4
Brantham Athletic 3 Cheshunt 6
Stowmarket Town 1 Romford 1
AFC Sudbury 4 Aveley 0
Ilford 1 Haverhill Borough 1
Hertford Town 4 Hadleigh United 1
Great Yarmouth Town 1 Basildon United 0
Grays Athletic 2 Redbridge 0
Long Melford 1 FC Romania 2
Barking 0 Saffron Walden Town 0
Potters Bar Town 4 West Essex 1
Slimbridge AFC 1 Cinderford Town 2
Flackwell Heath 1 Didcot Town 2
Chalfont St Peter 2 Beaconsfield SYCOB 2
Ashford Town (Middx) 3 Wembley 0
Colney Heath 2 Shortwood United 0
Kidlington 1 Wantage Town 0
Swindon Supermarine 1 Northwood 0
Hayes & Yeading United 1 Brimscombe & Thrupp 0
Leighton Town 2 Tuffley Rovers 3
Chipping Sodbury Town 1 Bishop's Cleeve 3
Leverstock Green 1 Aylesbury United 1
Southall 2 Hadley 4
Aylesbury 2 Cirencester Town 1
Uxbridge 0 Thame United 4
Hanwell Town 1 Longlevens AFC 0
Highmoor Ibis 1 North Leigh 3
Cockfosters 3 Holmer Green 0
Pagham 1 Sittingbourne 1
Hollands & Blair 1 Crowborough Athletic 4
Whyteleafe 1 Erith Town 1
Carshalton Athletic 1 Walton & Hersham 1
Haywards Heath Town 2 South Park 0
Colliers Wood United 1 Shoreham 1
Sutton Common Rovers 1 Eastbourne Town 2
Corinthian Casuals 1 Hythe Town 1
Greenwich Borough 4 Three Bridges 1
Deal Town 2 Glebe 2
Walton Casuals 3 Molesey 1
Redhill 1 Ashford United 3
Ramsgate 3 Hanworth Villa 1
East Grinstead Town 3 VCD Athletic 2
Banstead Athletic 6 Loxwood 3
East Preston 0 Thamesmead Town 8
Chipstead 2 Horley Town 0
Tunbridge Wells 3 CB Hounslow United 1
Steyning Town 0 Phoenix Sports 5
Chertsey Town 1 Horsham 3
Lewes 3 Newhaven 3
Sheppey United 0 Hastings United 2
Croydon 0 Faversham Town 0
Bracknell Town 0 Winchester City 4
Fleet Town 1 AFC Totton 1
Andover Town 3 Wimborne Town 3
Godalming Town 3 Farnham Town 0
AFC Portchester 3 Amesbury Town 1
Hamworthy United 4 Ascot United 1
Binfield 1 Horndean 1
Brockenhurst 1 Hartley Wintney 5
Salisbury 3 Fareham Town 2
Badshot Lea 0 Moneyfields 3
Laverstock & Ford 2 Knaphill 4
Alresford Town 0 Thatcham Town 2
Portland United 0 Paulton Rovers 3
Barnstaple Town 1 Clevedon Town 0
Tavistock AFC 2 Shaftesbury Town 1
Bideford AFC 6 Wells City 0
Cadbury Heath 1 Yate Town 0
Bridgwater Town 1 Brislington 0
Hengrove Athletic 1 Bodmin Town 4
Willand Rovers 2 Bristol Manor Farm 1
Odd Down 1 Mangotsfield United 0
Taunton Town 3 Larkhall Athletic 0
Bridport 3 Street 1

Sunday 20th August
Pickering Town 1 Clitheroe 2
Hallam 1 Atherton Colleries 4
Worcester City 1 Chasetown 1
Quorn 1 AFC Mansfield 3
St Margaretsbury 2 Hullbridge Sports 2
Baldock Town 3 North Greenford United 1
Crawley Green 2 Berkhamsted 3
Highworth Town 2 Marlow 3
Erith & Belvedere 1 Cray Valley (PM) 4
Cray Wanderers 2 Sevenoaks Town 3
Littlehampton Town 3 Eastbourne United 2
Herne Bay 2 Chessington & Hook United 1
Guildford City 4 Camberley Town 0

Replays
Monday 21st August
Maine Road A - A Abbey Hey (Match Abandoned)
Beaconsfield SYCOB 3 Chalfont St Peter 1

Tuesday 22nd August
Kendal Town 4 Harrogate Railway Athletic 1
Marske United 1 Scarborough Athletic 2 (AET)
Whitley Bay 3 Penrith 1
City of Liverpool 8 Prescot Cables 2
West Didsbury & Chorlton 1 1874 Northwich 3
Burscough 0 Radcliffe Borough 3
Market Drayton Town 1 Sporting Khalsa 1 (AET, Market Drayton Town won 4-1 on penalties)
Boldmere St Michaels 5 Wolverhampton Casuals 0
Chasetown 2 Worcester City 0
Belper Town 1 Lincoln United 4
Spalding United 0 Wisbech Town 2
Kempston Rovers 4 Newport Pagnell Town 1
Peterborough Sports 2 Eynesbury Rovers 0
Hullbridge Sports 1 St Margaretsbury 1 (AET, St Margaretsbury won 5-4 on penalties)
Heybridge Swifts 6 Haverhill Rovers 1
Haverhill Borough 5 Ilford 2
Saffron Walden Town 3 Barking 4
Sittingbourne 0 Pagham 1
Walton & Hersham 1 Carshalton Athletic 1 (AET, Carshalton Athletic won 5-4 on penalties)
Shoreham 3 Colliers Wood United 1 (AET)
Hythe Town 1 Corinthian Casuals 3
Glebe 3 Deal Town 0
Newhaven 1 Lewes 4
Faversham Town 2 Croydon 1
AFC Totton 5 Fleet Town 0
Wimborne Town 1 Andover Town 2
Horndean 3 Binfield 0

Wednesday 23rd August
Kidsgrove Athletic 2 Trafford 0
Evesham United 2 Newcastle Town 3 (AET)
Westfields 1 AFC Wulfrunians 0
Romford 3 Stowmarket Town 1
Aylesbury United 4 Leverstock Green 1
Erith Town 3 Whyteleafe 3 (AET, Erith Town won 4-1 on penalties)

Monday 28th August
Maine Road 1 Abbey Hey 2

So the 160 sides who won their Preliminary Round ties join the 72 clubs from Step Three in the non league Pyramid (Northern Premier, Southern Premier and Isthmian Premier) to make up the 116 ties in the First Qualifying Round.  Here are those games which take place this weekend:-
First Qualifying Round 
Friday 1st September
City of Liverpool VS Nantwich Town
Cambridge City VS St Neots Town
Kingstonian VS Shoreham

Saturday 2nd September 
Billericay Town VS Didcot Town (Live on BBC Sport, 12:30pm)
Penistone Church VS Whitby Town
Albion Sports VS Barnoldswick Town
Warrington Town VS Grimsby Borough
Ashton Athletic VS Bamber Bridge
Kidsgrove Athletic VS Clitheroe
Stalybridge Celtic VS Farsley Celtic
Marine VS Ashton United
Shaw Lane Association VS Radcliffe Borough
Scarborough Athletic VS Workington AFC
Bottesford Town VS Shildon
Cleethorpes Town VS Atherton Collieries
Colne VS Lancaster City
Ossett Town VS Consett AFC
Hyde United VS Kendal Town
Droylsden VS Colwyn Bay
Abbey Hey VS Altrincham
Skelmersdale United VS Handsworth Parramore
Buxton VS Frickley Athletic
Whitley Bay VS Newcastle Benfield
Sunderland RCA VS Liversedge
Mossley AFC VS 1874 Northwich_
Witton Albion VS South Shields
Halesowen Town VS Basford United
Boston Town VS Hednesford Town
Kempston Rovers VS Wisbech Town
Loughborough Dynamo VS Stourbridge
Market Drayton Town VS Alvechurch (at Nantwich Town FC)
AFC Mansfield VS Dunkirk
Soham Town Rangers VS Westfields
Peterborough Sports VS Stafford Rangers
Rushall Olympic VS Potton United
Sutton Coldfield Town VS Barwell
St Ives Town VS Coalville Town
Grantham Town VS Holbeach United
Haughmond VS Matlock Town
Tividale VS AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Lincoln United VS Redditch United
Shepshed Dynamo VS Leek Town
Stratford Town VS Newcastle Town
King's Lynn Town VS Coleshill Town
Mickleover Sports VS Hinckley AFC
Boldmere St Michaels VS Chasetown
Yaxley VS Dereham Town
Brocton VS Deeping Rangers
Maldon & Tiptree VS Hayes & Yeading United
Tilbury VS Aylesbury United
North Leigh VS Biggleswade Town
Hendon VS Wingate & Finchley
Beaconsfield Town VS Marlow
Colney Heath VS Cockfosters
Berkhamsted VS Slough Town
Clapton VS Needham Market
Royston Town VS Dunstable Town
Bedford Town VS Lowestoft Town
Ware VS Witham Town
Thurrock VS Harlow Town
Hadley VS FC Romania
Great Yarmouth Town VS Chesham United
Hertford Town VS Grays Athletic
Haringey Borough VS Hitchin Town
Potters Bar Town VS Bishop's Stortford
Gorleston VS Barking
Arlesey Town VS Heybridge Swifts
AFC Sudbury VS Mildenhall Town
Aylesbury VS Leiston
Hanwell Town VS Brightlingsea Regent
St Margaretsbury VS Kidlington
Cheshunt VS Takeley
Haverhill Borough VS Kings Langley
Enfield Town VS Harrow Borough
Ashford Town (Middx) VS Corinthian-Casuals
Phoenix Sports VS Eastbourne Town
Ramsgate VS Egham Town
Margate VS East Grinstead Town
Faversham Town VS Tonbridge Angels
Crowborough Athletic VS Sevenoaks Town
Dulwich Hamlet VS Hastings United
Tooting & Mitcham United VS Merstham
Thamesmead Town VS Lewes
Herne Bay VS Walton Casuals
Metropolitan Police VS Staines Town
Folkestone Invicta VS Greenwich Borough
Dorking Wanderers VS Worthing
Horsham VS Ashford United_
Haywards Heath Town VS Tunbridge Wells
Banstead Athletic VS Glebe
Carshalton Athletic VS Pagham
Leatherhead VS Cray Valley (PM)
Erith Town VS Burgess Hill Town
Hereford VS Godalming Town
Banbury United VS Tiverton Town
Bridport VS Barnstaple Town
Gosport Borough VS Bridgwater Town
Frome Town VS AFC Totton
AFC Portchester VS Dorchester Town
Farnborough VS Salisbury
Odd Down VS Weymouth
Tavistock AFC VS Taunton Town
Merthyr Town VS Willand Rovers
Tuffley Rovers VS Swindon Supermarine
Horndean VS Bodmin Town
Paulton Rovers VS Winchester City
Guildford City VS Knaphill
Basingstoke Town VS Hartley Wintney
Bideford AFC VS Bishop's Cleeve
Hamworthy United VS Thatcham Town
Cinderford Town VS Moneyfields
Andover Town VS Cadbury Heath

Sunday 3rd September 
Romulus VS Kettering Town
Romford VS AFC Hornchurch
Baldock Town VS Thame United
Littlehampton Town VS Chipstead


Ill be at the tie at Brickfield Lane for Hadley Vs FC Romania.  Both sides compete at Step Five in the non league pyramid, Hadley in the Spartan South Midlands Premier whilst FC Romania ply their trade in the Essex Senior League.  Proves to be another decent Cup tie so bring it on!!!

Season 2017-18 - Extra Preliminary Round

Saturday 5th August
Hackney Wick 0 Long Melford 1
So the Emirates FA Cup returned for another season and my latest journey began at The Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate, East London, as Hackney Wick hosted Long Melford.

Wick were entering the competition for the very first time and in only their third season as a club, whilst Melford have been around for 150 years and have plenty of history so the two clubs couldn’t be further apart in those stakes.

Both were looking to get into the next round though, as well as bag the £1,500 prize money for winning the tie, and a terrific crowd of 267 showed up to see who could do just that.
It was also ironic that the club Wick had taken over, London Bari, played their first FA Cup match against Long Melford, so that was certainly a very ironic fact to say the least.

The first ten minutes of the contest saw a chance for both sides, Melford seeing an effort saved by the keeper when well placed whilst Wick flashed a terrific ball across goal and just invading an incoming attacker.

But on the quarter hour mark the visitors edged in front when Josh Hodgson got to a ball in behind the defence first and prodded an effort beyond the keeper who almost got back to claw it out but ended up in the net with the ball and the visitors led.

Wick had a decent spell after going behind and saw an effort fly wide after the winger had cut inside his marker, but the visitors keeper had still not been tested once in the contest thus far.

The latter part of the half saw the visitors twice go close to doubling their lead but passed up both opportunities, but the Suffolk side went into the break a goal ahead and although the hosts had a lot of possession in the half, it was the visitors who looked more organised and had the better chances.

However Wick came out with renewed vigour in the second period and the opening exchanges saw the hosts putting pressure on the visitors however Melford were dealing with it well.

Wick continued to dominate possession as the half continued and the Melford keeper had to tip one effort over whilst another couple of efforts were blocked by a solid back line as the hosts continued to try and find a leveller in this

And as the game headed to its final fifteen minutes Wick missed a golden chance to equalise when after breaking through the visitors back line the hosts could only poke an effort agonisingly wide of the far post, and the moments later forced the Melford keeper into a smart save. You kind of felt it was gonna be one of those days for the ESL newboys.

And with Wick pushing hard for the leveller the visitors almost sealed it near the end when they got in on goal however the effort went inches wide but soon after the whistle blew and Long Melford had their hard earned win in the bag.

For Wick it was a frustrating afternoon and it’s a shame to exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle in their first appearance in the famous old competition, but they can now concentrate on the league and continue to improve throughout the season.

For Melford it’s another appearance in the Preliminary Round and they had to dig deep in this one to get the win, but they defended stoutly and battled hard for the victory. They now host another ESL side in FC Romania in the next round on Saturday.

Here are some photos I snapped during the day:-

Right here are all the Extra Preliminary Round results in full:-
Friday 4th August
Heanor Town  0 Aylestone Park 1
Potton United 0 Biggleswade United 0
Flackwell Heath 5 Burnham 0
Sholing 1 Alresford Town 2
Crowborough Athletic 2 Lingfield 0

Saturday 5th August
Litherland Remyca 2 AFC Liverpool 0
Bracknell Town 3 Cowes Sports 0
Penrith 2 West Auckland Town 1
Billingham Town 0 Pickering Town 3
Barnoldswick Town 3 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA 1
Sunderland RCA 3 Garforth Town 1
Shildon 2 Morpeth Town 0
Consett 3 Bishop Auckland 3
Washington 0 Dunston UTS 3
Bridlington Town 2 Billingham Synthonia 0
Newton Aycliffe 1 Chester-Le-Street Town 0
Seaham Red Star 1 Whitley Bay 1
Thackley 3 Harrogate Railway Athletic 4
Guisborough Town 4 Stockton Town 2
Ashington 1 Sunderland Ryhope CW 0
Newcastle Benfield 1 West Allotment Celtic 0
Albion Sports 2 Nelson 0
Team Northumbria 0 Heaton Stannington 1
Marske United 4 North Shields 4
Squires Gate 0 Ashton Athletic 4
Cammell Laird 1907 4 Maltby Main 1
Padiham 1 City of Liverpool 2
Pontefract Collieries 1 Alsager Town 0
Runcorn Town 3 AFC Darwen 2
Northwich Victoria 2 1874 Northwich 2
Congleton Town 4 New Mills 2
Irlam 1 Abbey Hey 2
Armthorpe Welfare 1 Liversedge 1
Parkgate 4 Barnton 2
Athersley Recreation 0 West Didsbury & Chorlton 5
Charnock Richard 3 Penistone Church 4
Maine Road 3 Winsford United 2
Runcorn Linnets 2 Hemsworth MW 0
Hanley Town 4 Atherstone Town 1
Coventry United 1 Rugby Town 2
Sporting Khalsa 2 Stourport Swifts 2
AFC Wulfrunians 3 Shawbury United 0
Wolverhampton SC 2 Haughmond 3
Tividale 1 Highgate United 1
Walsall Wood 3 Whitchurch Alport 1
Coventry Sphinx 0 Boldmere St Michaels 2
Daventry Town 0 Worcester City 1
Wolverhampton Casuals 7 Malvern Town 0
Westfields 3 Bewdley Town 1
Coleshill Town 6 Wellington 2
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 Rocester 2
Brocton 3 Cadbury Athletic 0
Kimberley MW 2 Blaby & Whetstone Athletic 4
Oadby Town 1 St Andrews 1
Birstall United 3 South Normanton Athletic 0
Bottesford Town 6 Long Eaton United 0
Leicester Road 2 Sleaford Town 1
Dunkirk 2 Leicester Nirvana 1
Kirby Muxloe 4 Barton Town Old Boys 2
AFC Mansfield 2 Hall Road Rangers 1
Staveley MW 2 Loughborough University 1
Retford United 1 Quorn 1
Clipstone 3 West Bridgford 1
Worksop Town 1 Hinckley AFC 2
Boston Town 2 Radford 2
Rainworth MW 0 Shepshed Dynamo 1
Harrowby United 0 Grimsby Borough 3
Biggleswade 1 Wisbech Town 4
Swaffham Town 3 Rothwell Corinthians 1
Raunds Town 1 Yaxley 1
Peterborough Northern Star 2 Deeping Rangers 3
Cogenhoe United 3 Godmanchester Rovers 0
Ely City 0 Holbeach United 2
Huntingdon Town 1 Newport Pagnell Town 4
Eynesbury Rovers 3 Thetford Town 2
Northampton Sileby Rangers 0 Harborough Town 5
Wellingborough Whitworths 0 Desborough Town 4
Fakenham Town 0 Wellingborough Town 2
Histon 0 Northampton On Chenecks 1
Hoddesdon Town 1 Haverhill Rovers 2
Sawbridgeworth Town 0 West Essex 3
Enfield 1893 1 Haverhill Borough 2
Redbridge 3 Stansted 1
Takeley 3 Wivenhoe Town 1
Kirkley & Pakefield 1 Saffron Walden Town 2
Southend Manor 1 Wroxham 0
Framlingham Town 0 Wadham Lodge 0
FC Broxbourne Borough 1 Tower Hamlets 1
Ilford 1 Woodbridge Town 0
FC Clacton 0 Clapton 1
Hadleigh United 3 Sporting Bengal United 2
FC Romania 2 Waltham Forest 2
Hackney Wick 0 Long Melford 1
Felixstowe & Walton United 2 Brantham Athletic 7
Stanway Rovers 2 Gorleston 4
Hullbridge Sports 5 Ipswich Wanderers 1
Great Yarmouth Town 5 Diss Town 0
Newmarket Town 5 Great Wakering Rovers 1
Walsham Le Willows 2 Basildon United 2
Welwyn Garden City 2 North Greenford United 4
Cockfosters 1 Risborough Rangers 1
Holmer Green 4 AFC Hayes 0
Lydney Town 1 Wantage Town 3
Langford 1 Hadley 9
Stotfold 1 Berkhamsted 12
Woodley United 1 Tuffley Rovers 2
Southall 5 Harpenden Town 1
Fairford Town 1 Longlevens AFC 1
Edgware Town 1 Leverstock Green 1
Chipping Sodbury Town 3 Brackley Town Saints 1
Leighton Town 4 Oxhey Jets 0
Windsor 1 Wembley 4
Brimscombe & Thrupp 4 Sun Sports 0
Royal Wootton Bassett Town 1 Crawley Green 2
Colney Heath 1 Tring Athletic 0
Ardley United 1 Baldock Town 3
Corinthian 2 Deal Town 2
Hassocks 2 Hollands & Blair 3
Sheppey United 3 AFC Croydon Athletic 2
Sutton Common Rovers 2 Canterbury City 0
Newhaven 0 Peacehaven & Telscombe 0
Colliers Wood United 2 AFC Uckfield Town 2
Chessington & Hook United 2 Lancing 2
East Preston 2 Saltdean United 1
Hailsham Town 1 Redhill 8
Loxwood 3 Holmesdale 1
Tunbridge Wells 1 Beckenham Town 0
Walton & Hersham 7 Mile Oak 0
Sevenoaks Town 3 Broadbridge Heath 1
Hanworth Villa 5 Bedfont & Feltham 0
Glebe 1 Lordswood 0
Whitstable Town 2 Croydon 3
Worthing United 2 Steyning Town 4
Arundel 0 Pagham 4
Horley Town 5 Raynes Park Vale 1
Abbey Rangers 1 Cray Valley (PM) 3
Eastbourne Town 2 Bearsted 1
Spelthorne Sports 1 Chertsey Town 3
Rochester United 1 Erith Town 1
Erith & Belvedere 4 Wick 0
AC London 3 Crawley Down Gatwick 2
Chatham Town 1 Littlehampton Town 1
Little Common 1 Eastbourne United 2
Haywards Heath Town A - A Bedfont Sports (tie abandoned after 45 mins due to waterlogged pitch, 1-1)
Horsham YMCA 0 Three Bridges 2
Thatcham Town 5 Petersfield Town 0
Christchurch 1 AFC Portchester 5
Farnham Town 3 Fawley 2
Bashley 2 Fareham Town 4
Hamworthy United 4 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1
Team Solent 2 Brockenhurst 5
Amesbury Town 4 Eversley & California 0
Camberley Town 0 Blackfield & Langley 0
Whitchurch United 0 Laverstock & Ford 3
Ringwood Town 0 Ascot United 6
Binfield 4 Chichester City 3
Horndean 2 Melksham Town 1
Knaphill 0 Bournemouth 0
Newport (IW) 2 Guildford City 2
Godalming Town 2 Westfield 1
Lymington Town 0 Andover Town 2
Clevedon Town 2 Bitton 2
Cadbury Heath 4 Longwell Green Sports 1
Plymouth Parkway 0 Portland United 1
AFC St Austell 1 Bridport 1
Wells City 2 Cribbs 1
Shaftesbury Town 0 Exmouth Town 0
Shepton Mallet 1 Tavistock AFC 4
Buckland Athletic 2 Bodmin Town 3
Cheddar 0 Willand Rovers 2
Wellington AFC 1 Hengrove Athletic 3
Street 1 Hallen 1
Brislington 6 Sherborne Town 1
Bridgwater Town 5 Keynsham Town 2
Bradford Town 3 Odd Down 4

Sunday 6th August
Barkingside 0 Stowmarket Town 4
Rushtall 0 CB Hounslow United 0
AFC Emley 0 Burscough 3
Hallam 3 Bootle 0
Widnes 0 Handsworth Parramore 5
St Margaretsbury 3 Burnham Ramblers 2
Highworth Town 1 London Colney 1
Highmoor Ibis 3 Buckingham Town 1
Epsom & Ewell 1 Banstead Athletic 2
Badshot Lea 1 Verwood Town 1

Monday 7th August
Replay
Tower Hamlets 1 FC Broxbourne Borough 0

Tuesday 8th August
Haywards Heath Town 5 Bedfont Sports 2
Replays
Lancing 1 Chessington & Hook United 3
Whitley Bay 4 Seaham Red Star 1
Leverstock Green A - A Edgware Town (tie abandoned due to serious injury to player, 2-3)
Hallen 1 Street 4
1874 Northwich 2 Northwich Victoria 0
Liversedge 5 Armthorpe Welfare 3
Stourport Swifts 2 Sporting Khalsa 3 AET (1 - 1 at the end of normal time)
Highgate United 2 Tividale 3
Rocester 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 3
St Andrews 2 Oadby Town 2 (AET, Oadby Town won 3-1 on penalties)
Yaxley 4 Raunds Town 2 AET (2 - 2 at the end of normal time)
Biggleswade United 1 Potton United 2
Basildon United 3 Walsham Le Willows 0
Risborough Rangers 2 Cockfosters 2 (AET, Cockfosters won 4-2 on penalties)
London Colney 2 Highworth Town 4
Longlevens AFC 5 Fairford Town 1
Deal Town 4 Corinthian 1
Peacehaven & Telscombe 0 Newhaven 2
AFC Uckfield Town 0 Colliers Wood United 2
CB Hounslow United 2 Rushtall 1
Verwood Town 3 Badshot Lea 3 (AET, Badshot Lea won 3-1 on penalties)
Blackfield & Langley 1 Camberley Town 2 AET (1 - 1 at the end of normal time)
Bournemouth 0 Knaphill 2
Bitton 0 Clevedon Town 1

Wednesday 9th August
Replays
Bishop Auckland 2 Consett 5
North Shields 0 Marske United 1
Quorn 3 Retford United 0
Wadham Lodge 1 Framlingham Town 3
Bridport 1 AFC St Austell 0
Exmouth Town 1 Shaftesbury Town 2 AET (1 - 1 at the end of normal time)

Tuesday 15th August 
Replays
Leverstock Green 5 Edgware Town 3
Radford 2 Boston Town 2 (AET, Boston Town won 4-3 on penalties)
Waltham Forest 1 FC Romania 2
Erith Town 5 Rochester United 0

Wednesday 16th August
Replays
Guildford City 3 Newport (IW) 0
Littlehampton Town 2 Chatham Town 1

So that completed the opening round of the competition.  Some notable results included last season's giantkillers Westfields, who reached the 1st Round Proper last season before losing to Curzon Ashton in a replay, began this years journey with victory at home to Bewdley whilst Berkhamsted hit double figures as they put twelve past Stotfold and also Hadley, managed by ex cup winner Micky Hazard, put nine past Langford.  And the first ever live BBC game in the early rounds saw Litherland Remyca defeat AFC Liverpool 2-0 in the lunchtime matchup.

Right this weekend sees the Preliminary Round take place so here are those fixtures:-
Friday 18th August
Prescot Cables VS City of Liverpool
Cambridge City VS Stamford AFC
Potton United VS AFC Dunstable
AC London VS Egham Town

Saturday 19th August
South Shields VS Bridlington Town (live on BBC Sport, 12.30pm)
Albion Sports VS Newton Aycliffe_
Sunderland RCA VS Ashington
Guisborough Town VS Shildon
Goole AFC VS Newcastle Benfield
Barnoldswick Town VS Dunston UTS
Tadcaster Albion VS Colne
Harrogate Railway Athletic_ VS Kendal Town
Scarborough Athletic VS Marske United
Consett AFC VS Heaton Stannington
Penrith AFC VS Whitley Bay
Abbey Hey VS Maine Road
Sheffield VS Ossett Town
Penistone Church VS Litherland Remyca
Bamber Bridge VS Brighouse Town
Frickley Athletic VS Runcorn Town
Ramsbottom United VS Liversedge
Pontefract Collieries VS Skelmersdale United
Ashton Athletic VS Runcorn Linnets
Parkgate VS Handsworth Parramore
Trafford VS Kidsgrove Athletic
1874 Northwich_ VS West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Glossop North End VS Mossley AFC
Hyde United VS Congleton Town
Ossett Albion VS Droylsden
Colwyn Bay VS Stocksbridge Park Steels
Radcliffe Borough VS Burscough
Leek Town VS Cammell Laird 1907
Sporting Khalsa VS Market Drayton Town
Alvechurch VS Hanley Town
Walsall Wood VS Tividale
Bedworth United VS Haughmond
Rugby Town VS Romulus
Bromsgrove Sporting VS Coleshill Town
Wolverhampton Casuals VS Boldmere St Michaels
Brocton VS Gresley
Newcastle Town VS Evesham United
AFC Wulfrunians VS Westfields
Birstall United VS Cleethorpes Town
Shepshed Dynamo VS Kimberley MW
Kirby Muxloe VS Dunkirk
Grimsby Borough VS Leicester Road
Oadby Town VS Loughborough Dynamo
Hinckley AFC VS Aylestone Park
Staveley MW VS Basford United
Boston Town VS Carlton Town
Lincoln United VS Belper Town
Bottesford Town VS Clipstone
Wisbech Town VS Spalding United
Dereham Town VS Corby Town
Barton Rovers VS Deeping Rangers
Yaxley VS Harborough Town
Holbeach United VS Northampton On Chenecks
Newport Pagnell Town VS Kempston Rovers
Arlesey Town VS Desborough Town
Soham Town Rangers VS Cogenhoe United
Eynesbury Rovers VS Peterborough Sports
Wellingborough Town VS AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Bedford Town VS Swaffham Town
Bury Town VS Tilbury
Southend Manor VS Gorleston
Bowers & Pitsea VS Haringey Borough
Maldon & Tiptree VS Waltham Abbey
AFC Hornchurch VS Brentwood Town
Canvey Island VS Witham Town
Clapton VS Norwich United
Framlingham Town VS Mildenhall Town
Haverhill Rovers VS Heybridge Swifts
Newmarket Town VS Ware
Tower Hamlets_ VS Takeley
Brantham Athletic VS Cheshunt
Stowmarket Town VS Romford (at Ipswich Wanderers FC)
AFC Sudbury VS Aveley
Ilford VS Haverhill Borough
Hertford Town VS Hadleigh United
Great Yarmouth Town VS Basildon United
Grays Athletic VS Redbridge
Long Melford VS FC Romania
Barking VS Saffron Walden Town
Potters Bar Town VS West Essex
Slimbridge AFC VS Cinderford Town
Flackwell Heath VS Didcot Town
Chalfont St Peter VS Beaconsfield Town
Ashford Town (Middx) VS Wembley
Colney Heath VS Shortwood United
Kidlington VS Wantage Town
Swindon Supermarine VS Northwood
Hayes & Yeading United VS Brimscombe & Thrupp
Leighton Town VS Tuffley Rovers
Chipping Sodbury Town VS Bishop's Cleeve
Leverstock Green VS Aylesbury United
Southall VS Hadley (at Hillingdon Borough FC)
Aylesbury VS Cirencester Town
Uxbridge VS Thame United
Hanwell Town VS Longlevens AFC
Highmoor Ibis VS North Leigh
Cockfosters VS Holmer Green
Pagham VS Sittingbourne
Hollands & Blair VS Crowborough Athletic
Whyteleafe VS Erith Town
Carshalton Athletic VS Walton & Hersham
Haywards Heath Town VS South Park
Colliers Wood United VS Shoreham
Sutton Common Rovers VS Eastbourne Town
Corinthian-Casuals VS Hythe Town
Greenwich Borough VS Three Bridges
Deal Town VS Glebe
Walton Casuals VS Molesey
Redhill VS Ashford United_
Ramsgate VS Hanworth Villa
East Grinstead Town VS VCD Athletic
Banstead Athletic VS Loxwood
East Preston VS Thamesmead Town
Chipstead VS Horley Town
Tunbridge Wells VS CB Hounslow United
Steyning Town VS Phoenix Sports
Chertsey Town VS Horsham
Lewes VS Newhaven
Sheppey United_ VS Hastings United
Croydon VS Faversham Town
Bracknell Town VS Winchester City
Fleet Town VS AFC Totton
Andover Town VS Wimborne Town
Godalming Town VS Farnham Town
AFC Portchester VS Amesbury Town
Hamworthy United VS Ascot United
Binfield VS Horndean
Brockenhurst VS Hartley Wintney
Guildford City VS Camberley Town
Salisbury VS Fareham Town
Badshot Lea VS Moneyfields
Laverstock & Ford VS Knaphill
Alresford Town VS Thatcham Town
Portland United VS Paulton Rovers
Barnstaple Town VS Clevedon Town
Tavistock AFC VS Shaftesbury
Bideford AFC VS Wells City
Cadbury Heath VS Yate Town
Bridgwater Town VS Brislington
Hengrove Athletic VS Bodmin Town
Willand Rovers VS Bristol Manor Farm
Odd Down VS Mangotsfield United
Taunton Town VS Larkhall Athletic
Bridport VS Street

Sunday 20th August
Pickering Town VS Clitheroe
Hallam VS Atherton Collieries
Worcester City VS Chasetown
Quorn VS AFC Mansfield
St Margaretsbury VS Hullbridge Sports
Baldock Town VS North Greenford United
Crawley Green VS Berkhamsted
Highworth Town VS Marlow
Erith & Belvedere VS Cray Valley (PM)
Cray Wanderers VS Sevenoaks Town
Littlehampton Town VS Eastbourne United
Herne Bay VS Chessington & Hook United

I'll be making the trip to Long Melford in suffolk for my latest game in my FA Cup journey, it will be my first visit to the club too so looking forward to it.  FC Romania are the visitors so will be a tough game for both sides no doubt.  The winners will join the other winning sides plus exemptions into Monday's First Qualifying Round draw and make one more step in their FA Cup journies.  Another exciting weekend awaits!!!

Season 2017-18 - Extra Preliminary Round Preview

(Aaron Ramsey nets Arsenal's winner in last season's final)

So almost ten weeks after Arsenal lifted the trophy at Wembley following their victory over Chelsea in the 2017 final, the Emirates FA Cup returns this weekend at the extra preliminary round stage.
With the draws for the first two stages of the world’s original cup competition having being made at Wembley Stadium, clubs can now start dreaming of embarking upon a Cup run.

And there’s a total of 737 teams involved in this season’s Cup, from all levels of the National League System right through to the English Football League and the Premier League.

Some will be targeting a place in the Final at Wembley next May, whilst others will have their sights on the first round proper in November or the third round proper in January.

But it all begins this weekend with the extra preliminary round, when 370 teams from Step Five and below in the non league pyramid begin their Emirates FA Cup adventure.

The 185 winning sides will then progress to the Preliminary Round stage where they join another 135 sides from Step Four in the pyramid, with that round scheduled to take place over the weekend of Saturday 19 August.

I will of course be featuring a game in every round of the competition by following the winning team through the rounds, and I will begin this years competition in Forest Gate, East London, at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, which is home to Clapton FC and now Hackney Wick FC, who took over the name of London Bari.

Wick will be hosting Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Long Melford in their first ever FA Cup match so it will be an historic day for the club too.  Here is a bit about each side going into the contest:-

The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Saturday 5th August 2017

Hackney Wick Vs Long Melford (The Old Spotted Dog Ground, 3pm)

Hackney Wick FC
Hackney wick were founded by Bobby Kasanga, who launched the club in 2015 with the aims to integrate diverse groups in the local community, helping to tackle peer pressure and gang influences.

The club engages 160 youths and 70 adults through training and matches and they interact with 230 youths and adults in the community every week.  In summary HWFC is:-

• A community focused sporting club, promoting positive values and community cohesion
• A club where members and players volunteer to local causes and organisations
• A club that provides mentorship to team members
• A team passionate about the local community
• A club that runs gang and peer pressure workshops in local schools and youth clubs

 They spent their first two seasons in Step Eight in the Middlesex County Football League Division One (Central and East), winning only six games in those two seasons, although they improved somewhat from the their first season.  However in the summer of 2017 they decided to take over ESL side London Bari and therefore jumped three divisions and into senior football in only their third ever season.  Prior to this FA Cup tie they have played two league games this season, winning one and drawing one, and after an impressive pre season campaign they go into this FA Cup encounter full confidence.

Long Melford FC
The club have been around for almost 150 years and more recent history saw the club join the Eastern Counties League in the summer of 2002 following promotion from the Essex & Suffolk Border League. 2002/03 saw further progress for the Stoneylands club as they not only consolidated their place in the First Division, by finishing in a creditable final sixth position, but also won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the eighth time in their history, but for the first time in forty-eight years!   In the summer of 2002 saw the then members club vote for the club’s management and assets to be transferred to a Limited Company. From the 1st August 2002, the Club has been owned and managed by Long Melford Football Club (2002) Limited. The club enjoyed an excellent FA Cup run in 2004 in which Melford were eventually knocked out by Yeading (who went on to entertain Newcastle United) and in the same year reached the last 64 of the FA Vase.  The period between 2005 and 2011 was undeniably tough for the club, with Melford consistently finishing in the bottom half of the table and failing to achieve any tangible success in the cup competitions. However, 2011/12 saw Melford finish in 9th position (their highest league finish in nearly a decade) and a return to Ipswich Town to contest the Suffolk Senior Cup Final in front of just under 900 spectators. Melford took the lead in the final but eventually lost 2-1 to holders Whitton United.  The 2014/15 season was one of the greatest in the club's history as Melford achieved promotion and were crowned Thurlow Nunn First Division champions in front of 300 supporters after beating Downham Town on the final day.  In 2015/16 the club's first ever season in the Premier Division (Step 5) exceeded expectations as Melford not only avoided a relegation battle but secured a top half finish (9th), however last season the club struggled somewhat and ended up in 17th position.  Last season's FA Cup campaign saw them defeat St Margaretsbury 5-2 away in the Extra Preliminary Round before succuming to Saffron Walden Town at home 0-2 in the Preliminary Round.  Can they reach the Preliminary Round stage this time round too?

So two clubs with very different backgrounds and history.  Can the hosts make history or will the Suffolk side spoil their debut in the competition, we will find out by 5pm Saturday.  The winners face another home tie against either FC Romania or Waltham Forest, both Essex Senior League sides, meaning a great chance for both to reach the First Qualifying Round of the competition.

Right here is the full draw for the Extra Preliminary Round, which starts on Friday evening:-
Friday 4th August
Heanor Town VS Aylestone Park
Potton United VS Biggleswade United
Flackwell Heath         VS Burnham
Sholing VS Alresford Town
Crowborough Athletic VS Lingfield

Saturday 5th August 
Litherland Remyca VS AFC Liverpool
Bracknell Town VS Cowes Sports
Penrith AFC VS West Auckland Town
Billingham Town VS Pickering Town
Barnoldswick Town VS Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA
Sunderland RCA VS Garforth Town
Shildon VS Morpeth Town
Consett AFC VS Bishop Auckland
Washington VS Dunston UTS
Bridlington Town VS Billingham Synthonia
Newton Aycliffe_ VS Chester-Le-Street Town
Seaham Red Star VS Whitley Bay
Thackley         VS Harrogate Railway Athletic_
Guisborough Town VS Stockton Town
Ashington VS Sunderland Ryhope CW
Newcastle Benfield VS West Allotment Celtic
Albion Sports VS Nelson
Team Northumbria VS Heaton Stannington
Marske United VS North Shields
Squires Gate VS Ashton Athletic
Cammell Laird 1907 VS Maltby Main
Padiham         VS City of Liverpool
Pontefract Collieries VS Alsager Town
Runcorn Town VS AFC Darwen
Northwich Victoria VS 1874 Northwich_
Congleton Town VS New Mills
Irlam VS Abbey Hey
Armthorpe Welfare VS Liversedge
Parkgate         VS Barnton
Athersley Recreation_ VS West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Charnock Richard VS Penistone Church
Maine Road VS Winsford United
Runcorn Linnets VS Hemsworth MW
Hanley Town VS Atherstone Town
Coventry United VS Rugby Town
Sporting Khalsa VS Stourport Swifts
AFC Wulfrunians VS Shawbury United
Wolverhampton SC VS Haughmond
Tividale VS Highgate United
Walsall Wood VS Whitchurch Alport
Coventry Sphinx VS Boldmere St Michaels
Daventry Town VS Worcester City
Wolverhampton Casuals VS Malvern Town
Westfields VS Bewdley Town
Coleshill Town VS Wellington
Bromsgrove Sporting VS Rocester
Brocton VS Cadbury Athletic
Kimberley MW VS Blaby & Whetstone Athletic
Oadby Town VS St Andrews
Birstall United VS South Normanton Athletic
Bottesford Town VS Long Eaton United
Leicester Road VS Sleaford Town
Dunkirk VS Leicester Nirvana
Kirby Muxloe VS Barton Town
AFC Mansfield VS Hall Road Rangers
Staveley MW VS Loughborough University
Retford United VS Quorn
Clipstone         VS West Bridgford
Worksop Town VS Hinckley AFC
Boston Town VS Radford
Rainworth MW VS Shepshed Dynamo
Harrowby United VS Grimsby Borough
Biggleswade VS Wisbech Town
Swaffham Town VS Rothwell Corinthians
Raunds Town VS Yaxley
Peterborough Northern Star VS Deeping Rangers
Cogenhoe United VS Godmanchester Rovers
Ely City VS Holbeach United
Huntingdon Town VS Newport Pagnell Town
Eynesbury Rovers VS Thetford Town
Northampton Sileby Rangers VS Harborough Town
Wellingborough Whitworths VS Desborough Town
Fakenham Town VS Wellingborough Town
Histon VS Northampton On Chenecks
Hoddesdon Town VS Haverhill Rovers
Sawbridgeworth Town VS West Essex
Enfield 1893 VS Haverhill Borough
Redbridge VS Stansted
Takeley VS Wivenhoe Town
Kirkley & Pakefield VS Saffron Walden Town
Southend Manor VS Wroxham
Framlingham Town VS Wadham Lodge
FC Broxbourne BoroughVS Tower Hamlets_
Ilford VS Woodbridge Town
FC Clacton VS Clapton
Hadleigh United VS Sporting Bengal United
FC Romania VS Waltham Forest
Hackney Wick VS Long Melford
Felixstowe & Walton United VS Brantham Athletic
Stanway Rovers VS Gorleston
Hullbridge Sports VS Ipswich Wanderers
Great Yarmouth Town VS Diss Town
Newmarket Town VS Great Wakering Rovers
Walsham Le Willows VS Basildon United
Welwyn Garden City VS North Greenford United
Cockfosters VS Risborough Rangers
Holmer Green VS AFC Hayes
Lydney Town VS Wantage Town
Langford         VS Hadley
Stotfold VS Berkhamsted
Woodley United VS Tuffley Rovers
Southall         VS Harpenden Town
Fairford Town VS Longlevens AFC
Edgware Town VS Leverstock Green
Chipping Sodbury Town VS Brackley Town Saints
Leighton Town VS Oxhey Jets
Windsor         VS Wembley
Brimscombe & Thrupp VS Sun Sports
Royal Wootton Bassett Town VS Crawley Green
Colney Heath VS Tring Athletic
Ardley United VS Baldock Town
Corinthian VS Deal Town
Hassocks         VS Hollands & Blair
Sheppey United_ VS AFC Croydon Athletic
Sutton Common Rovers VS Canterbury City_
Newhaven VS Peacehaven & Telscombe
Colliers Wood United VS AFC Uckfield Town
Chessington & Hook United VS Lancing
East Preston VS Saltdean United
Hailsham Town VS Redhill
Loxwood         VS Holmesdale
Tunbridge Wells VS Beckenham Town
Walton & Hersham VS Mile Oak
Sevenoaks Town VS Broadbridge Heath
Hanworth Villa VS Bedfont & Feltham
Glebe VS Lordswood
Whitstable Town VS Croydon
Worthing United VS Steyning Town
Arundel VS Pagham
Horley Town VS Raynes Park Vale
Abbey Rangers VS Cray Valley (PM)
Eastbourne Town VS Bearsted
Spelthorne Sports VS Chertsey Town
Rochester United VS Erith Town
Erith & Belvedere VS Wick
AC London VS Crawley Down Gatwick (at Crawley Down Gatwick FC)
Chatham Town VS Littlehampton Town
Little Common VS Eastbourne United
Haywards Heath Town VS Bedfont Sports
Horsham YMCA VS Three Bridges
Thatcham Town VS Petersfield Town
Christchurch VS AFC Portchester
Farnham Town VS Fawley
Bashley VS Fareham Town
Hamworthy United VS Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Team Solent VS Brockenhurst
Amesbury Town VS Eversley & California
Camberley Town VS Blackfield & Langley
Whitchurch United VS Laverstock & Ford
Ringwood Town VS Ascot United
Binfield VS Chichester City_
Horndean VS Melksham Town
Knaphill VS Bournemouth
Newport (IW) VS Guildford City
Godalming Town VS Westfield
Lymington Town VS Andover Town
Clevedon Town VS Bitton AFC
Cadbury Heath VS Longwell Green Sports_
Plymouth Parkway VS Portland United
AFC St Austell VS Bridport
Wells City VS Cribbs
Shaftesbury VS Exmouth Town
Shepton Mallet AFC VS Tavistock AFC
Buckland Athletic VS Bodmin Town
Cheddar_ VS Willand Rovers
Wellington AFC VS Hengrove Athletic
Street VS Hallen
Brislington VS Sherborne Town
Bridgwater Town VS Keynsham Town
Bradford Town VS Odd Down

Sunday 6th August
Barkingside VS Stowmarket Town
Rusthall VS CB Hounslow United
AFC Emley VS Burscough
Hallam VS Bootle
Widnes VS Handsworth Parramore
St Margaretsbury VS Burnham Ramblers
Highworth Town VS London Colney
Highmoor Ibis VS Buckingham Town
Epsom & Ewell VS Banstead Athletic
Badshot Lea VS Verwood Town

As I said in my intro the winners of the 185 ties above progress into the Preliminary Round to join Step Four sides.  The full draw is below (ties to be played 18th/19th/20th August):-
Albion Sports / Nelson VS Newton A / Chester-L-S
South Shields         VS Bridlington / Bill'ham Syn
Bill'ham T / Pickering VS Clitheroe
Sund RCA / Garforth VS Ashington / Sunderland Ryhope CW
Guisborough / Stockton TownVS Shildon / Morpeth
Goole AFC         VS Newcastle BBP / West Allot C
Barn'wick / Jarr RBCA VS Washington / Dunston UTS
Tadcaster Albion         VS Colne
Thackley / Harrogate R VS Kendal Town
Scarborough Athletic VS Marske / Nth Shields
Consett AFC / Bishop Auck VS Team Northumbria / Heaton Stannington
Penrith AFC / West Auck VS Seaham RS / Whitley Bay
Irlam / Abbey Hey         VS Maine Road / Winsford
Sheffield                 VS Ossett Town
Charnock R / Penistone ChurchVS Litherland Remyca / AFC L'pool
Bamber Bridge VS Brighouse Town
Hallam / Bootle VS Atherton Collieries
Frickley Athletic VS Runcorn T / AFC Darwen
Ramsbottom United VS Armthorpe / Liversedge
Pontefract / Alsager VS Skelmersdale United
Squires G / Ashton Ath VS Runcorn L / Hemsworth
Parkgate / Barnton           VS Widnes / Handsworth Parramore
Trafford                 VS Kidsgrove Athletic
Prescot Cables VS Padiham / City of Liverpool
Northwich / 1874 Northwich_VS Athersley Recreation_ / West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Glossop North End         VS Mossley AFC
Hyde United         VS Congleton / New Mills
Ossett Albion         VS Droylsden
Colwyn Bay         VS Stocksbridge Park Steels
Radcliffe Borough         VS AFC Emley / Burscough
Leek Town         VS Cammell Laird 1907 / Maltby Main
Sporting Khalsa / Stourport VS Market Drayton Town
Alvechurch         VS Hanley Town / Atherstone
Walsall W / Whitchurch AlportVS Tividale / Highgate U
Bedworth United         VS Wolv SC / Haughmond
Coventry United / Rugby T    VS Romulus
Bromsgrove Sporting / Rocester VS Coleshill / Wellington
Wolv Cas / Malvern VS Coventry S / Boldmere
Daventry T / Worcester VS Chasetown
Brocton / Cadbury Ath VS Gresley
Newcastle Town         VS Evesham United
AFC Wulf's / Shawbury U VS Westfields / Bewdley
Birstall Utd / Sth Normanton A VS Cleethorpes Town
Rainworth / Shepshed D         VS Kimberley MW / Blaby & Whetstone Athletic
Kirby Mux / Barton T VS Dunkirk / Thurn Nirv
Harrowby United / Grimsby B VS Leicester Road / Sleaford
Oadby Town / St Andrews VS Loughborough Dynamo
Worksop / Hinckley AFC VS Heanor Town / Aylestone Park
Retford / Quorn         VS AFC Mansfield / Hall Rd Ran
Staveley MW / Loughboro U VS Basford United
Boston Town / Radford VS Carlton Town
Lincoln United VS Belper Town
Bottesford / L Eaton U VS Clipstone / West Bridgford
Biggleswade / Wisbech T VS Spalding United
Dereham Town VS Corby Town
Cambridge City VS Stamford AFC
Barton Rovers         VS Peterborough Northern Star / Deeping Rgs
Raunds Town / Yaxley VS Northampton Sileby Rangers / Harborough Town
Ely City / Holbeach U VS Histon / Northampton On Chenecks
Potton U / Bigg'wade U VS AFC Dunstable
Huntingdon T / Newport Pag VS Kempston Rovers
Arlesey Town         VS Wellingborough Whitworths / Desborough
Soham Town Rangers VS Cogenhoe / Godmanchester
Eynesbury Rovers / Thetford T VS Peterborough Sports
Fakenham / W'Boro Twn VS AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Bedford Town         VS Swaffham / Rothwell C
St Marg / Burnham R VS Hullbridge / Ipswich W
Bury Town         VS Tilbury
Southend M / Wroxham         VS Stanway R / Gorleston
Bowers & Pitsea         VS Haringey Borough
Maldon & Tiptree         VS Waltham Abbey
AFC Hornchurch         VS Brentwood Town
Canvey Island         VS Witham Town
FC Clacton / Clapton VS Norwich United
Framlingham T / Wad Lodge VS Mildenhall Town
Hoddesdon / Haverhill R VS Heybridge Swifts
Newmarket / Gt Wakering VS Ware
FC Brox Boro / Tower Ham VS Takeley / Wivenhoe
Felixstowe / Brantham VS Cheshunt
Barkingside / Stowmarket VS Romford
AFC Sudbury         VS Aveley
Ilford / Woodbridge VS Enf'ld 1893 / Haverhill Borough
Hertford Town VS Hadleigh U / S Bengal U
Gt Yarmouth / Diss Town VS Walsham LW / Basildon
Grays Athletic         VS Redbridge / Stansted
Hackney Wick / L Melford VS FC Romania / Waltham F
Barking         VS Kirk & Pake / Saff Wald
Potters Bar Town         VS Sawbridgewth / West Essex
Slimbridge AFC VS Cinderford Town
Flackwell H / Burnham VS Didcot Town
Ardley Utd / Baldock Town VS Welwyn GC / N Greenford
Chalfont St Peter         VS Beaconsfield Town
Ashford Town (Middx) VS Windsor / Wembley
Colney Hth / Tring Ath VS Shortwood United
Kidlington         VS Lydney Town / Wantage T
Swindon Supermarine VS Northwood
Hayes & Yeading United VS Brimscombe & Thrupp / Sun Sports
Leighton T / Oxhey Jets VS Woodley United / Tuffley Rovers
Wootton Bass / Crawley Grn VS Stotfold / Berkhamsted
Chipping Sod T / Brackley T Sts VS Bishop's Cleeve
Edgware Town / Leverstock G VS Aylesbury United
Southall / Harpenden Town VS Langford / Hadley
Aylesbury         VS Cirencester Town
Uxbridge                 VS Thame United
Highworth T / London Col VS Marlow
Hanwell Town VS Fairford / Longlevens AFC
Highmoor Ibis / Buckingham T VS North Leigh
Cockfosters / Risborough Ran VS Holmer Grn / AFC Hayes
Arundel / Pagham         VS Sittingbourne
Hassocks / Hollands & Blair VS Crowborough / Lingfield
Erith & Bel / Wick         VS Abbey Rangers / Cray Valley (PM)
Whyteleafe         VS Rochester United / Erith Town
Carshalton Athletic         VS Walt Hers / Mile Oak
Haywards Heath T / Bedfont Sp VS South Park
Colliers W'd / AFC U'field VS Shoreham
Mole V / Canterbury City_ VS E'bourne Tn / Bearsted
Corinthian-Casuals         VS Hythe Town
Greenwich Borough VS Horsh YMCA / Three Bdges
Corinthian / Deal Town VS Glebe / Lordswood
Walton Casuals VS Molesey
Hailsham T / Redhill VS Ashford United_
Ramsgate         VS Hanworth V / Bedfont & Feltham
East Grinstead Town VS VCD Athletic
Cray Wanderers         VS Sevenoaks / Broadbridge Heath
Epsom & E / Banstead VS Loxwood / Holmesdale
E Preston / Saltdean United VS Thamesmead Town
Chatham / Littlehampton VS Little Common / Eastbourne United
Chipstead         VS Horley Town / Raynes Park
Tun Wells / Beckenham VS Rusthall / CB Hounslow United
Worthing United / Steyning T VS Phoenix Sports
Spelthorne Sports / Chertsey VS Horsham
Herne Bay         VS Chessington / Lancing
Lewes         VS Newhaven / P'Hav & Tel
Sheppey U_ / AFC Croydon Ath VS Hastings United
Whitstable / Croydon VS Faversham Town
AC London / Crawley D VS Egham Town
Bracknell / Cowes         VS Winchester City
Fleet Town         VS AFC Totton
Lymington / Andover Town VS Wimborne Town
Godalming / Westfield VS Farnham / Fawley
Christchurch / AFC P'hester VS Amesbury Town / Eversley & California
Hamworthy / Bemerton VS Ringwood / Ascot Utd
Binfield / Chichester VS Horndean / Melksham
Team Solent / Brock'hurst VS Hartley Wintney
Newport IW / Guildford C VS Camberley / Blackfield
Salisbury                 VS Bashley / Fareham
Badshot Lea / Verwood VS Moneyfields
Whitchurch / Laverstock & Ford VS Knaphill / Bournemouth
Sholing / Alresford         VS Thatcham T / Petersfield
Plymouth Park / Portland Utd VS Paulton Rovers
Barnstaple Town         VS Clevedon / Bitton AFC
Shepton M / Tavistock VS Shaftesbury / Exmouth Town
Bideford AFC         VS Wells City / Cribbs
Cadbury H / Longwell GS VS Yate Town
Bridgwater / Keynsham Town VS Brislington / Sherborne
Wellington / Hengrove A VS Buckland / Bodmin Town
Cheddar_ / Willand         VS Bristol Manor Farm
Bradford T / Odd Down VS Mangotsfield United
Taunton Town         VS Larkhall Athletic
AFC St Austell / Bridport VS Street / Hallen

The 80 sides who progress from the Preliminary Round in two or so weeks time will join the 72 sides from Step Three in the Non League Pyramid in the First Qualifying Round, that draw will be made after the conclusion of the Preliminary Round.

Once the Extra Preliminary Round has been completed I will bring you a review of that round and which will feature the Hackney Wick Vs Long Melford tie of course.  Let the Emirates FA Cup for 2017-18 begin!!!