FA Cup Preview - Saturday 5th September 2017
Fri 4th August 2017 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
The 137th season of the Emirates FA Cup takes place this weekend, with 29 of our sides taking to the field hoping to progress to the Preliminary Round in two weeks time.
There are eight all-Hallmark Security League ties, with ten taking place against Northern Counties East League sides, two against Midland League Division One sides, and just one against a side from the Northern League.
Northern League Tie
And that is where we will start with Barnoldswick Town taking on a side with probably the longest name in the competition, Jarrow Roofing Bolden Community Association. Unbelievably, Barlick are still looking for their first victory in the FA Cup having lost at this stage in their six previous campaigns, two of them after replays. Jarrow went out at this stage last season, and their best is the Second Qualifying Round which they last reached in 2013/14. This is Jarrow's sixth meeting against one of our sides in the Cup, and they have won just once.
Midland League Ties
Whitchurch Alport were formed in 1947 but they make their debut in the FA Cup this year with a trip to Midland League side Walsall Wood. Walsall first entered the Cup in 1982/83 but have gone out at the first hurdle in 16 of their 21 campaigns, including last season. They have twice faced our sides in the Cup, and have lost both meetings, the last of which came in 2008.
Hanley Town also face a Midland League side as they entertain Atherstone Town. This is only Hanley's third FA Cup campaign and their best was in their debut season when they reached the Preliminary Round. Atherstone celebrate their tenth FA Cup campaign having missed out in the last two seasons. They have a great Cup record, reaching the Third Qualifying Round twice in their nine campaigns. They have only once faced one of our sides in the Cup, beating New Mills in 2007/08.
Northern Counties East League Ties
Over to the Northern Counties East League ties now, and we start with Charnock Richard who are our second side to make their FA Cup debut this season. They set multiple club records last season on their way to promotion, and entertain Penistone Church who are also relatively new to the Cup. This is only their third campaign, and they have yet to taste victory in the competition, so someone will make history in this tie. Penistone faced Cheadle Town last season in the Cup, losing 3-1.
Barnton have a unique FA Cup history, making their debut in 1948/49 when they reached the First Qualifying Round. They entered the following year then had a 67-year break until last season! They are looking for their first win since 1948, and travel to Parkgate. The Rotherham based side reached the Second Qualifying Round in their first two seasons, but have won only five Cup matches in the 20 years since then. This is Parkgate's 14th meeting in the Cup against one of our sides, and they have won just three.
Runcorn Linnets face Hemsworth Miners Welfare at home, and it is a tie that many at the Millbank won't have wanted. Linnets
celebrate their tenth FA Cup campaign this year, with their best being the Third Qualifying Round in 2013/14. They have only twice gone out at this stage, and both times was against Hemsworth! This is only Hemsworth's sixth Cup campaign with their best being reaching only the Preliminary Round which they have done three times. Strangely in each of those campaigns though, they have beaten one of our sides.
Nelson's history in the FA Cup stretches back to 1896/97, and they have previously reached the Second Round Proper three times. More recently though, they have struggled and have gone out at this stage in seven of the last eight years. They travel to Albion Sports, who in contrast are in only their fifth campaign. They have reached the First Qualifying Round once in their debut season, and not only is this a first meeting between the two sides, it is also the first time Albion have faced one of our sides in the FA Cup.
Maltby Main are a side who are no strangers to our sides, and they travel to Cammell Laird 1907. This is only Lairds' second Cup campaign, and they reached the Preliminary Round last season. This is Maltby's 18th tie in the FA Cup against our sides and they have only lost four times, all of which came on their own ground! One of those was last season with Squires Gate knocking them out over in Yorkshire. Maltby's best run was reaching the Second Qualifying Round in 2003/04.
West Didsbury & Chorlton travel to Athersley Recreation in a rare meeting against outside opponents. In seven previous Cup ties, they have faced a fellow league side in six of them. This is only their fifth Cup campaign, and they have progressed past this stage in three of them before bowing out in the next round. Athersley have faced two of our sides previously, both in the last two seasons, and they have won one and lost one. This is their fourth season in the competition, and they have only previously won one game.
Pontefract Collieries host Alsager Town with the Bullets looking to replicate their success of the last two seasons when they progressed past this stage. Their best is the First Qualifying Round which they have reached three times in their 14 previous campaigns. Pontefract beat both Runcorn Town and Bootle in last seasons competition, those being the only two successes in six previous meetings with our sides. Like Alsager, their best is the First Qualifying Round which they have reached three times, the last time coming last season.
All of the above meetings take place on Saturday with our other three Northern Counties East ties switched to the Sunday. And we start with Widnes who are the third of our sides making their FA Cup debut. They face Handsworth Parramore at the Select Security Stadium, and it should be a cracker given Handsworth's previous meetings with our sides. They have faced our sides twice in each of the last two years, losing 4-3 at Congleton and winning 5-2 at Squires Gate. Handsworth reached the Third Qualifying Round last season which is their best.
Burscough last entered the FA Cup at this stage way back in 1950/51, and having historically being higher up the football pyramid, they have a good Cup record. Their best was reaching the Second Round in 2005/06, although one highlight came in 1979/80 when they played at Sheffield United in front of over 14,000 spectators! They travel to AFC Emley, who have faced our sides in seven out of their ten campaigns, of which they have won three and lost four. Its also a second meeting between the two sides in three years, Burscough winning the last meeting 3-1.
Finally is Bootle, who travel to the "World's Oldest Football Ground" as they take on Hallam. Bootle have gone out at this stage in two of the last three years, with their best run coming in 1990/91 when they reached the Third Qualifying Round. Hallam have had ten meetings with our sides over the years in the Cup, of which they have won and lost four, the other two being draws.
All Hallmark Security League Ties
We start our review of games between our sides with Padiham v City of Liverpool, with the Purps being the fourth of our sides to make their debut in the competition this season. With four trophies under their belts already, the have shown their prowess in knockout competitions but face a tough looking tie at Padiham. It's a first ever meeting between the sides, and whilst Padiham will likely not match reaching the Third Round Proper in 1883/84, they will be confident of a win having not gone out at this stage since the 2011/12 season.
And there's a mini-Merseyside Derby as Litherland REMYCA face AFC Liverpool, with REMYCA being the fifth of our sides to take their FA Cup bow. This game will kick off at the earlier time of 12.30pm, with history being made here as it has been selected as the first ever qualifying game for the FA Cup game to be broadcast live. This will be on the BBC Sport website. Again its a first ever meeting between the two sides, with REMYCA looking to recapture the form of last season when they finished third in the First Division and reached the Play Off Final. AFC Liverpool are in their seventh Cup campaign, and they have progressed past this stage just three times, and always at the expense of a fellow league side. Their best came two years ago when they reached the First Qualifying Round.
The tie of the round in many peoples eyes is Northwich Victoria v 1874 Northwich. Vics have a long and proud FA Cup history, Quarter Finalists in 1883/84 and more recently reaching the Second Round Proper just two years ago. However this was when they were higher up the pyramid and they have not entered the competition at the Extra Preliminary Round stage since 1948/49 when they beat Ellesmere Port Town. 1874 meanwhile - the only side in the competition starting with a number - are in just their fourth Cup campaign, and they have never bowed out at this stage before, instead reaching the Preliminary Round in all three campaigns. History will be made here for one of the teams.
History could also be made at Pavilions as Runcorn Town face AFC Darwen. This is Darwen's third Cup campaign and they have yet to taste victory in the competition, their Extra Preliminary Round replay against Cammell Laird 1907 last season being their best. Runcorn Town meanwhile have only bowed out at this stage once, that coming last season at Pontefract Collieries, and they will be looking to recapture the form of 2014/15 when they knocked out three higher ranked sides en-route to the Third Qualifying Round.
Last season Ashton Athletic went the furthest out of any Hallmark Security League side, and they travel to Squires Gate. Ashton reached the Second Qualifying Round, the best they have ever done, before losing to FC Halifax Town, and that was also only the fourth time they have progressed past this stage in nine previous campaigns. Squires Gate also did well last season, reaching the First Qualifying Round, just one round short of their best run. They always seem to get a fellow league side in the competition, and this is the tenth time out of the last fourteen draws that they have done so!
After two successive relegations, New Mills will look to get their season off to a successful start but a trip to Congleton Town means they will start this season as they did the last. In last seasons Cup meeting Congleton won 2-0, and that is the third successive year that New Mills have bowed out at the first hurdle. The Millers' best is the Second Qualifying Round which they have achieved twice, most recently in 2012/13. Congleton have never bowed out at this stage of the Cup, progressing in each of the 13 times they have started this early. Last season they reached the Preliminary Round stage, but their best is the First Round Proper which they reached in 1989/90.
Maine Road entertain Winsford United, the second time the clubs have met at this stage in the past seven years. Last time Maine Road ran out 1-0 winners after a replay en-route to the First Qualifying Round which they also reached last season. In fact Maine Road have only gone out at this stage three times out of their 29 previous Cup campaigns. Winsford United have reached the First Round Proper on three occassions, the last coming in 1997/98. Last season they reached the First Qualifying Round and took Whitby Town to a replay, the best they have done in the Cup in 12 years.
Our final game sees Irlam take on Abbey Hey, with Irlam entering the FA Cup for only the fifth time. They have only had one previous victory in the competition, that coming in 2012/13 when they beat Hallam, with the Preliminary Round their best in that season. Abbey Hey's recent FA Cup pedigree is good, and they have been the last remaining Hallmark Security League side in two of the last five seasons when they reached the Second Qualifying Round. That is also their best run, whilst last season they went out at this stage to Bootle.
So that's all 29 sides reviewed. We are guaranteed eight sides in the next round, but here's hoping there are many more. Good luck to all our clubs.
FA Cup Preview - Saturday 5th September 2017
Fri 4th August 2017 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
The 137th season of the Emirates FA Cup takes place this weekend, with 29 of our sides taking to the field hoping to progress to the Preliminary Round in two weeks time.
There are eight all-Hallmark Security League ties, with ten taking place against Northern Counties East League sides, two against Midland League Division One sides, and just one against a side from the Northern League.
Northern League Tie
And that is where we will start with Barnoldswick Town taking on a side with probably the longest name in the competition, Jarrow Roofing Bolden Community Association. Unbelievably, Barlick are still looking for their first victory in the FA Cup having lost at this stage in their six previous campaigns, two of them after replays. Jarrow went out at this stage last season, and their best is the Second Qualifying Round which they last reached in 2013/14. This is Jarrow's sixth meeting against one of our sides in the Cup, and they have won just once.
Midland League Ties
Whitchurch Alport were formed in 1947 but they make their debut in the FA Cup this year with a trip to Midland League side Walsall Wood. Walsall first entered the Cup in 1982/83 but have gone out at the first hurdle in 16 of their 21 campaigns, including last season. They have twice faced our sides in the Cup, and have lost both meetings, the last of which came in 2008.
Hanley Town also face a Midland League side as they entertain Atherstone Town. This is only Hanley's third FA Cup campaign and their best was in their debut season when they reached the Preliminary Round. Atherstone celebrate their tenth FA Cup campaign having missed out in the last two seasons. They have a great Cup record, reaching the Third Qualifying Round twice in their nine campaigns. They have only once faced one of our sides in the Cup, beating New Mills in 2007/08.
Northern Counties East League Ties
Over to the Northern Counties East League ties now, and we start with Charnock Richard who are our second side to make their FA Cup debut this season. They set multiple club records last season on their way to promotion, and entertain Penistone Church who are also relatively new to the Cup. This is only their third campaign, and they have yet to taste victory in the competition, so someone will make history in this tie. Penistone faced Cheadle Town last season in the Cup, losing 3-1.
Barnton have a unique FA Cup history, making their debut in 1948/49 when they reached the First Qualifying Round. They entered the following year then had a 67-year break until last season! They are looking for their first win since 1948, and travel to Parkgate. The Rotherham based side reached the Second Qualifying Round in their first two seasons, but have won only five Cup matches in the 20 years since then. This is Parkgate's 14th meeting in the Cup against one of our sides, and they have won just three.
Runcorn Linnets face Hemsworth Miners Welfare at home, and it is a tie that many at the Millbank won't have wanted. Linnets
celebrate their tenth FA Cup campaign this year, with their best being the Third Qualifying Round in 2013/14. They have only twice gone out at this stage, and both times was against Hemsworth! This is only Hemsworth's sixth Cup campaign with their best being reaching only the Preliminary Round which they have done three times. Strangely in each of those campaigns though, they have beaten one of our sides.
Nelson's history in the FA Cup stretches back to 1896/97, and they have previously reached the Second Round Proper three times. More recently though, they have struggled and have gone out at this stage in seven of the last eight years. They travel to Albion Sports, who in contrast are in only their fifth campaign. They have reached the First Qualifying Round once in their debut season, and not only is this a first meeting between the two sides, it is also the first time Albion have faced one of our sides in the FA Cup.
Maltby Main are a side who are no strangers to our sides, and they travel to Cammell Laird 1907. This is only Lairds' second Cup campaign, and they reached the Preliminary Round last season. This is Maltby's 18th tie in the FA Cup against our sides and they have only lost four times, all of which came on their own ground! One of those was last season with Squires Gate knocking them out over in Yorkshire. Maltby's best run was reaching the Second Qualifying Round in 2003/04.
West Didsbury & Chorlton travel to Athersley Recreation in a rare meeting against outside opponents. In seven previous Cup ties, they have faced a fellow league side in six of them. This is only their fifth Cup campaign, and they have progressed past this stage in three of them before bowing out in the next round. Athersley have faced two of our sides previously, both in the last two seasons, and they have won one and lost one. This is their fourth season in the competition, and they have only previously won one game.
Pontefract Collieries host Alsager Town with the Bullets looking to replicate their success of the last two seasons when they progressed past this stage. Their best is the First Qualifying Round which they have reached three times in their 14 previous campaigns. Pontefract beat both Runcorn Town and Bootle in last seasons competition, those being the only two successes in six previous meetings with our sides. Like Alsager, their best is the First Qualifying Round which they have reached three times, the last time coming last season.
All of the above meetings take place on Saturday with our other three Northern Counties East ties switched to the Sunday. And we start with Widnes who are the third of our sides making their FA Cup debut. They face Handsworth Parramore at the Select Security Stadium, and it should be a cracker given Handsworth's previous meetings with our sides. They have faced our sides twice in each of the last two years, losing 4-3 at Congleton and winning 5-2 at Squires Gate. Handsworth reached the Third Qualifying Round last season which is their best.
Burscough last entered the FA Cup at this stage way back in 1950/51, and having historically being higher up the football pyramid, they have a good Cup record. Their best was reaching the Second Round in 2005/06, although one highlight came in 1979/80 when they played at Sheffield United in front of over 14,000 spectators! They travel to AFC Emley, who have faced our sides in seven out of their ten campaigns, of which they have won three and lost four. Its also a second meeting between the two sides in three years, Burscough winning the last meeting 3-1.
Finally is Bootle, who travel to the "World's Oldest Football Ground" as they take on Hallam. Bootle have gone out at this stage in two of the last three years, with their best run coming in 1990/91 when they reached the Third Qualifying Round. Hallam have had ten meetings with our sides over the years in the Cup, of which they have won and lost four, the other two being draws.
All Hallmark Security League Ties
We start our review of games between our sides with Padiham v City of Liverpool, with the Purps being the fourth of our sides to make their debut in the competition this season. With four trophies under their belts already, the have shown their prowess in knockout competitions but face a tough looking tie at Padiham. It's a first ever meeting between the sides, and whilst Padiham will likely not match reaching the Third Round Proper in 1883/84, they will be confident of a win having not gone out at this stage since the 2011/12 season.
And there's a mini-Merseyside Derby as Litherland REMYCA face AFC Liverpool, with REMYCA being the fifth of our sides to take their FA Cup bow. This game will kick off at the earlier time of 12.30pm, with history being made here as it has been selected as the first ever qualifying game for the FA Cup game to be broadcast live. This will be on the BBC Sport website. Again its a first ever meeting between the two sides, with REMYCA looking to recapture the form of last season when they finished third in the First Division and reached the Play Off Final. AFC Liverpool are in their seventh Cup campaign, and they have progressed past this stage just three times, and always at the expense of a fellow league side. Their best came two years ago when they reached the First Qualifying Round.
The tie of the round in many peoples eyes is Northwich Victoria v 1874 Northwich. Vics have a long and proud FA Cup history, Quarter Finalists in 1883/84 and more recently reaching the Second Round Proper just two years ago. However this was when they were higher up the pyramid and they have not entered the competition at the Extra Preliminary Round stage since 1948/49 when they beat Ellesmere Port Town. 1874 meanwhile - the only side in the competition starting with a number - are in just their fourth Cup campaign, and they have never bowed out at this stage before, instead reaching the Preliminary Round in all three campaigns. History will be made here for one of the teams.
History could also be made at Pavilions as Runcorn Town face AFC Darwen. This is Darwen's third Cup campaign and they have yet to taste victory in the competition, their Extra Preliminary Round replay against Cammell Laird 1907 last season being their best. Runcorn Town meanwhile have only bowed out at this stage once, that coming last season at Pontefract Collieries, and they will be looking to recapture the form of 2014/15 when they knocked out three higher ranked sides en-route to the Third Qualifying Round.
Last season Ashton Athletic went the furthest out of any Hallmark Security League side, and they travel to Squires Gate. Ashton reached the Second Qualifying Round, the best they have ever done, before losing to FC Halifax Town, and that was also only the fourth time they have progressed past this stage in nine previous campaigns. Squires Gate also did well last season, reaching the First Qualifying Round, just one round short of their best run. They always seem to get a fellow league side in the competition, and this is the tenth time out of the last fourteen draws that they have done so!
After two successive relegations, New Mills will look to get their season off to a successful start but a trip to Congleton Town means they will start this season as they did the last. In last seasons Cup meeting Congleton won 2-0, and that is the third successive year that New Mills have bowed out at the first hurdle. The Millers' best is the Second Qualifying Round which they have achieved twice, most recently in 2012/13. Congleton have never bowed out at this stage of the Cup, progressing in each of the 13 times they have started this early. Last season they reached the Preliminary Round stage, but their best is the First Round Proper which they reached in 1989/90.
Maine Road entertain Winsford United, the second time the clubs have met at this stage in the past seven years. Last time Maine Road ran out 1-0 winners after a replay en-route to the First Qualifying Round which they also reached last season. In fact Maine Road have only gone out at this stage three times out of their 29 previous Cup campaigns. Winsford United have reached the First Round Proper on three occassions, the last coming in 1997/98. Last season they reached the First Qualifying Round and took Whitby Town to a replay, the best they have done in the Cup in 12 years.
Our final game sees Irlam take on Abbey Hey, with Irlam entering the FA Cup for only the fifth time. They have only had one previous victory in the competition, that coming in 2012/13 when they beat Hallam, with the Preliminary Round their best in that season. Abbey Hey's recent FA Cup pedigree is good, and they have been the last remaining Hallmark Security League side in two of the last five seasons when they reached the Second Qualifying Round. That is also their best run, whilst last season they went out at this stage to Bootle.
So that's all 29 sides reviewed. We are guaranteed eight sides in the next round, but here's hoping there are many more. Good luck to all our clubs.
