Full Preview Of Saturday`s Buildbase FA Trophy Ties

There are some fascinating ties involving clubs from National League South and North, many facing lower league opposition.

Brackley Town v Salford City

Two of the top three teams in the National North do battle at St James`s Park. The Ammies won the league game at the Peninsula Stadium in September, and home advantage may just see Kevin Wilkin`s side through.

Key man: Brackley`s Aaron Williams.

York City v Coalville Town

The current holders, who also lifted the trophy in 2012, seem to love the competition and should prove too much for the Evo-Stik League Premier Ravens at Bootham Crescent. New York boss Martin Gray, however, will not be under-estimating the part-timers from Leicestershire.

Key man: York`s Jon Parkin.

Cleethorpes Town v Spennymoor Town

Two sides who were at Wembley in recent years – but both in the final of the Buildbase FA Vase. The Evo-Stik League South side are looking for back-to-back promotions, as are Moors, who came up to the National League North via the play-offs last season and have performed well at the higher level to date.

Key man: Spennymoor striker Glen Taylor.

Grantham Town v Chorley

Tricky test for Matt Jansen`s Magpies at The Meres against an in-form Evo-Stik League Premier side. The Gingerbreads have gone nine games without defeat and this could just be where an upset occurs.

Key man: Grantham`s 19-goal Lee Shaw.

Tamworth v Warrington Town

The Lambs were probably relieved to have drawn the Wire at home as the Evo-Stik Premier outfit are pretty formidable at their Cantilever Park home.
Andy Morrell knows what it takes to win the Trophy, having led Wrexham to a penalty shoot-out win over Grimsby Town in 2013.

Key man: Tamworth`s Darryl Knights.

AFC Telford United v Droylsden

It`s been a long time since the Bucks` in their former guise dominated the competition back in the 1980s. The `old` Telford United won the second-ever final in 1971, having lost the first final a year earlier, and triumphed again in 1983 and 1989 as well as being runners-up to Enfield after a replay in 1988.
They face a Bloods outfit who are now plying their trade in the Evo-Stik North having gone through some very barren years since being a Conference club.

Key man: Possibly Telford`s new signing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Gainsborough Trinity v Stafford Rangers

Trinity face another club with a proud record in the Trophy. Evo-Stik Premier Stafford won it in 1972 and 1979 and were losing finalists in 1976, but, like Droylsden, have had a poor record since dropping down the Pyramid.

Key man: Gainsborough`s Ashley Worsfold.

Bradford Park Avenue v Stourbridge

Neither National League North Avenue or the Evo-Stik Premier Glassboys have pulled up any trees in the Trophy since it began in 1970. It`s a little strange why Stourbridge in particular have such a disappointing record as they have had some fantastic FA Cup runs in recent years.

Key man: Avenue`s Adam Boyes.

Boston United v Kidderminster Harriers, Nuneaton Town v North Ferriby United, Stockport County v Southport and Leamington against Curzon Ashton are four of all-National League North ties.

Boston possess a dreadful recent Trophy record after being runners-up in 1985, which has been a mystery to all Pilgrims fans, while in contrast, Harriers have had a love affair with the competition and won it 1987 against Burton Albion after a replay and have bee bridesmaids on three other occasions in 1991,1995 and more recently in 2007.

Key man: Boston keeper George Willis.

Nuneaton, like Boston, a big non-League club with a poor Trophy record, take on a North Ferriby side who were the surprise winners in 2015 against Wrexham, but are trailing badly in the league and sacked manager Steve Housham yesterday. However, they may take this game as being a bit of light relief from their efforts to avoid back-to-back relegations.

Key man: Nuneaton`s Ashley Chambers.

Stockport are another big non-League side to have struggled in the competition since coming out of the League – perhaps underestimating its value. They take on a Southport side who were the 1998 runners-up to Cheltenham and whose boss Kevin Davies will be keen to be back at Wembley as a manager rather than a BT Sport pundit!

Key man: County`s Jason Oswell – the league`s top scorer.

League form currently favours Curzon Ashton but they head to a Leamington side who have done better at home since winning their place back at the end of last season. So this could well turn out to be requiring a replay.

Key man: Leamington`s Colby Bishop.

Blyth Spartans v Stalybridge Celtic

Stalybridge have struggled since suffering relegation from the National League North at the end of last season, swapping places with Blyth who, in contrast, have maintained their momentum and are riding high in the league and searching for another promotion. However, Celtic boss Steve Burr has been involved in several Trophy battled over the years and this will be no pushover for the hosts.

Key Man: Blyth`s top scorer Daniel Maguire.

Alfreton Town v Altrincham

Like Stalybridge, Altrincham were also relegated at the end of last season but have adjusted well and currently top the Evo-Stik Premier table and haven`t lost in 15 matches. It`s been a long time since Alty had a decent Trophy run, having won the competition back in 1978 and 1986 and been runners-up in 1982, while their former National League North rivals Alfreton have a poor Trophy record which could well be extended.

Key man: Alfreton`s Craig Westcarr.

Marine AFC v FC United Of Manchester

An eagerly-awaited tie for Mariners fans who enjoyed their battles with the Rebels when they were both members of the Evo-Stik Premier. Tommy Lawson`s hosts are struggling for league form but have enjoyed some good Trophy results, beating league rivals Whitby Town and then hammering Evo-Stik North side Atherton Collieries 5-1. FC United have just appointed Tom Greaves as their permanent player-manager after a good spell in caretaker charge, and it`s everyone`s dream in the Greater Manchester area to see a Wembley final between FC United and Salford!

Key man: New Marine recruit Max Hazeldine.

Lewes v Truro City

An intriguing tie between the Bostik South leaders and a White Tigers outfit who go into the game occupying third place in the National League South. It wasn`t long back that the Rooks were plying their trade in the same division as Truro, but have had to bounce back the hard way. Signs are good from the Dripping Pan now though and the Cornishmen will find it tough in Sussex.

Key man: Truro`s Cody Cooke.

Havant & Waterlooville v Dorking Wanderers

Like Lewes, the Hawks have had to go down to bounce back stronger. Lee Bradbury`s side have a decent record in the Trophy, having twice been semi-finalists and quarter-finalists in 2009, so they will be keen to finally get to Wembley. Their Bostik Premier opponents are only 18 years old, so have made a rapid rise up the Pyramid to earn promotion at the end of last season.

Key man: Havant`s Jason Prior.

East Thurrock United v Shortwood United

The National League South hosts have never passed the Second Round stage of the Trophy but have a great chance to get through to the next round against a Shortwood side who are second-bottom of the Evo-Stik South West table, although they did oust Evo-Stik South Premier side Frome Town from the competition in the last round.

Key man: East Thurrock`s Sam Higgins.

Taunton Town v Concord Rangers

The Peacocks currently lead Shortwood`s division and are a tough nut to crack on their own Wordsworth Drive home. But the Beachboys make the long trek to Somerset in reasonable form, having gone eight league games unbeaten, albeit having won only one of those. Another which may need a replay.

Key man: Taunton`s Matt Wright.

There are five other all-National League South ties: Hemel Hempstead Town host Bognor Regis Town at Vauxhall Road with the Tudors currently pushing towards a top seven spot, while the Rocks, promoted back to the division at the end of last season, finding themselves second-bottom but having won and drawn their last two matches.

Key man: Hemel`s Jordan Parkes.

Welling United are another of the sides currently in the National League South who have a poor Trophy record overall. Considering they have been members of the top division on and off since winning promotion in 1986, to have only managed a couple of quarter-final appearances in that time is surprising. And they host a Weston-super-Mare outfit who are enjoying one of their best seasons for some time, and head to Kent on the back of a run of four successive wins.

Key man: Weston`s Dayle Grubb.

In contrast, St Albans City have hit the wall after a bright start to the campaign. Ian Allinson`s men haven`t won in seven heading into their Clarence Park tie with another current struggler, Poole Town.

Key man: Poole`s Warren Bentley.

Whitehawk will just be glad to get away from the pressures of being rock-bottom of the division when they take on newcomers Chippenham Town at the Enclosed Ground.

Key man: Chippenham`s David Pratt.

Wealdstone won the Trophy back in 1985 but have an indifferent record since then. But they host a Chelmsford City side who, since reaching the first-ever semi-final in 1970, have endured a surprisingly miserable Trophy record since – and one their fans are desperate to alter.

Key man: Wealdstone`s Abobaker Eisa.

Oxford City v Hereford FC

Another fascinating tie at Marsh Farm which is sure to attract one of the bigger crowds of the day with hundreds of Bulls fans expected to make the trip. The last 16 is the best City have done before in the Trophy, while the FA will be happy to see Hereford back at Wembley after they brought the vast majority of the 46,781 to the FA Vase Final against Morpeth Town in 2016.

Key man: Hereford`s John Mills.

Braintree Town v Cray Wanderers

The Iron only found out their Third Qualfying Round opponents on Wednesday night after Bostik South side Cray beat Evo-Stik South West high-flyers Moneyfields. Braintree are currently in decent form as they look to bounce straight back to the top division, but have a poor Trophy record. This equals the furthest Cray have ever gone in the competition, but they are a famous old club who will test Braintree`s desire on the day.

Key man: Braintree`s Phil Roberts.

Brentwood Town v Dartford

Dartford were runners-up at Wembley back in 1974 under their old guise, but are another enigma when it comes to more recent years in the competition. The Bostik North hosts have only reached the First Round on one occasion previously but have hit a bit of form lately, winning their last two matches.

Key man: Dartford`s Alfie Pavey.

Chesham United v Gloucester City

The Evo-Stik South Premier hosts created national headlines last weekend when they hammered a youthful Merthyr Town side 13-1. However, the Generals then failed to score on Tuesday against Farnborough!
The Tigers managed to reach the semi-finals in 1997 before being beaten by Dagenham & Redbridge after a dramatic replay – and that after having to play manager Leroy Rosenoir (a striker in his playing days) in goal in their first tie against Kingstonian! However, they haven`t troubled the scorers much in the competition since then.

Key man: Chesham`s on-loan Giuseppe Iaciofano.

Hungerford Town v Billericay Town

A tie that many will have down as an away win, despite the ambitious visitors being a league below the Crusaders in the Bostik Premier. But with players of the calibre of Jermaine Pennant and Kevin Foley and a strike force the envy of many, it isn`t hard to see why. Hungerford have reached the Third Round once in 2015 but may have to pay a visit to Essex next midweek.

Key man: Billericay`s Jake Robinson.

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Harlow Town

The Beavers are another to have got as far as the Third Round once before and Alan Dowson`s side are certainly in form, having won six successive league games. In contrast, the Hawks have only won one of their last six matches in the Bostik Premier and currently find themselves second-bottom.

Key man: Harlow`s Alex Read.

Eastbourne Borough v Royston Town

Royston are enjoying a decent season in the Evo-Stik South Premier following promotion last season and are currently in 11th spot and knocked out two Bostik Premier teams in the Trophy, including FA Cup heroes Leatherhead.
It`s been an up and down season to date for Jamie Howell`s Boro side, who come into the tie having lost their last three league games.

Key man: Royston keeper Joe Welch.

Bath City v Margate or Egham Town

Bath will have to wait until Bostik Premier Margate and Evo-Stik South East Egham play a delayed Second Qualifying Round tie tomorrow.

Egham were re-instated, depite losing the replay to Bostik North side Bowers & Pitsea on November 7th.

The FA charged Bowers with fielding a suspended player, Jamie Dicks, in their replay at Runnymede- a tie which they eventually won 5-3 after extra-time- and dismissed the club's appeal against their expulsion.

Dicks had recently signed from league rivals Romford, and Bowers appeal was based on claims that there were errors with the FA system which shows suspensions, but this explanation was rejected.