Some Huge FA Cup Headlines Are About To Get Written!

3 Nov 2023 By Sam Elliott

Vanarama National League news

There’s no getting away from it - it’s the biggest weekend of the season so far.

The FA Cup first round is here and there’s no hiding from the excitement that’s building, but who will make the headlines and just how explosive will they be?

They do say the bigger they are the harder they fall, and they don’t get larger than Portsmouth at this stage of the competition.

The 2008 winners are unbeaten this season but you may have noticed Chesterfield are having quite a campaign themselves.

Ahead of Sunday’s tie, assistant manager Danny Webb said: "They are the favourites and rightly so. It would be silly to think we can just turn up and cruise over them. I am glad we are at home, I think it will be a real carnival atmosphere.”

It’s another tough test for Solihull Moors against a League One giant with a rich FA Cup history - they are at Bolton Wanderers.

It’s the same task for Andy Woodman’s Bromley who host 1953 winners Blackpool at Hayes Lane and it’s live on the BBC on Saturday night.

Forest Green will be seen as a sitting duck by Scarborough Athletic with Rovers sitting 22nd in League Two. The former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening told his players to believe in themselves as they look to take a scalp.

Grimsby Town reached the quarter finals last season but how things have changed. They are without a manager after parting with Paul Hurst and the EFL strugglers won’t relish a trip to National League South Slough Town.

Oldham Athletic go to Newport County while Yeovil and Gateshead meet. Hereford face Gillingham at Edgar Street and want to make it a losing start for their new manager Stephen Clemence.

We will have some National League representation in the second round for sure - Eastleigh meet Boreham Wood for a third season running in the FA Cup.

In-form Chester take on York City, Curzon Ashton take on Barnet while Alfreton Town and Worthing collide.

Aldershot Town will be backed by a huge travelling support at Swindon Town while the Shots rivals Woking are at Ramgate. Maidenhead have their work cut out at Oxford United.

AFC Fylde head to London to take on Sutton United who just love the FA Cup while Maidstone United fancy their chances as they travel to Chesham.

Winners of the first round ties this year earn £41,000 as well of course as a precious second round tie - meaning they are just 90 minutes from a possible Premier League big boy!

The first round fixtures:
Curzon Ashton vs Barnet
Alfreton Town vs Worthing
Chesterfield vs Portsmouth
Bolton vs Solihull Moors
Exeter City vs Wigan
Leyton Orient vs Carlisle
Kidderminster vs Fleetwood
Hereford vs Gillingham
Slough Town v Grimsby
Charlton vs Cray Valley PM
Oxford United vs Maidenhead
Newport County vs Oldham Ath
Swindon Town vs Aldershot
Crewe Alex vs Derby County
Mansfield Town vs Wrexham
Marine vs Harrogate Town
Barnsley vs Horsham
Port Vale vs Burton Albion
Peterborough vs Salford City
Eastleigh vs Boreham Wood
Bradford City vs Wycombe
Sheppey vs Walsall
Shrewsbury vs Colchester
Bristol Rovers vs Whitby
Lincoln City vs Morecambe
Sutton United vs AFC Fylde
Reading vs MK Dons
Doncaster vs Accrington
Chester vs York City
Scarborough vs Forest Green
Notts County v Crawley
Stockport County vs Worksop Town
Yeovil Town vs Gateshead
Stevenage vs Tranmere Rovers
Chesham vs Maidstone
Bromley vs Blackpool
AFC Wimbledon vs Cheltenham
Cambridge United vs Bracknell
Northampton vs Barrow
Ramsgate vs Woking

Where next?

Our Heroes Hog The Headlines On Action Packed Afternoon The FA Cup headlines were written as the National League continued on an exciting day of action on all fronts.

Plenty Of Important Points To Play For On Saturday The FA Cup may steal focus for most this Saturday but there’s more than a fair share of National League action to get your teeth into as well.