(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!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment