It’s finally here, the very first round of the 2017/18 Emirates FA Cup kicks off on Saturday with the Extra Preliminary Round and we have seven clubs to follow this season.
The majority of sides played a competitive league match in midweek as preparation for the big kick off, and it’s a historic day for Woodley United and Eversley & California who are among 21 clubs making their cup debuts.
There is no extra time on Saturday so any replay must be played before Thursday 10th August and the winning sides will receive prize money of £1,500.
Prediction time: Make sure you get your votes in here!
All matches are at 3pm on Saturday 5th September unless otherwise stated.
Amesbury Town v Eversley & California
Two sides we know little about, but Eversley were the surprise package of the pre season tournament at Larges Lane beating both Bracknell Town and Wokingham & Emmbrook in the group stage before losing to the Robins in the final.
Wessex League Premier Amesbury lost their opening game of the season 1-0 on Tuesday but will be slight favourites by virtue of being one division higher than their Combined Counties Division 1 opponents.
Related: See our FA Cup form guide for each fixture here
Binfield v Chichester City
Joe Grant should be available for the Moles despite his sending off against Wantage on Tuesday in a game that will be tough to call despite Chichester’s lack of competitive action.
City have put in some good performances against higher level opposition in pre season and much will depend on how quickly Roger Herridge’s young side bounce back from their opening night disappointment – but they will have new signing Jack Thomson-Wheeler from Flackwell Heath available.
Heading to Binfield? Here’s our guide to Hill Farm Lane including ticket prices and travel information
Bracknell Town v Cowes Sports (ko 2pm)
Mark Tallentire will have new signing Liam Ferdinand available for the first time in a competitive fixture following the completion of a ban that was a hangover from last season – Tally will still be able to call on captain Carl Davies despite his midweek sending off but Khalid Senussi looks set to miss at least three weeks with an ankle injury.
Sports head to Larges Lane having lost their opening game 2-0 and had a man sent off themselves in midweek – our man Steve Gabb has had a closer look at the Isle of Wight side here.
Coming to Larges Lane? Here’s our guide to Bracknell Town’s ground including ticket prices and travel information
Highmoor Ibis v Buckingham Town (Sunday)
We can tell you very little about Highmoor’s visitors thanks to it being four months since their website was updated but you would expect Hellenic Premier side Highmoor to have to much for the United Counties League Division 1 side.
Ringwood Town v Ascot United
Ascot head to Ringwood as the favourites given their higher league status but both sides lost their opening games of the season on Tuesday.
The Yellamen were the best performing local club last season taking Tonbridge Angels to a replay in the first qualifying round.
Windsor v Wembley
Neither side has played a competitive fixture this season and Windsor are much changed with veteran striker Barry Hayles on the books while all time top goalscorer Rob Lazarczuk has signed for Ascot.
Woodley United v Tuffley Rovers
This is Woodley’s first ever game in the FA Cup but the Hellenic Premier new boys proved in midweek they weren’t just there to make up the numbers with an impressive point in a 0-0 draw against Flackwell Heath.
Tuffley have a couple of season on United at step 5 but were held themselves to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, and with the pressure off we’d love to see Woodley nick this.
Heading to Woodley? Here’s our guide to Scours Lane including ticket prices and travel information
The rest of the draw for our Hellenic League clubs is:
- Flackwell Heath vs Burnham (Friday)
- Ardley United vs Baldock Town
- Brimscombe & Thrupp vs Sun Sports
- Chipping Sodbury Town vs Brackley Town Saints
- Fairford Town vs Longlevens
- Lydney Town vs Wantage Town
- Royal Wootton Bassett Town vs Crawley Green
- Thatcham Town vs Petersfield Town
- Highworth Town vs London Colney (Sunday)
The full draw for the Extra Preliminary Round is here and the draw for the Preliminary Round is here.
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