The Five Big FA Cup Ties To Watch Out For This Weekend

Usually of course it’s the National League clubs looking to steal the headlines. That will hopefully come in the months and rounds ahead.

On Saturday, they hope to avoid becoming the story. There are some smashing ties to look out for.

MANarama National League clubs join the party, with plenty of National League North and South clubs of course still going strong.

We’ve picked out five potentially electric Fourth Qualifying Round games, but who will be in the hat alongside some EFL big boys come Monday night?

(Kick-off at 3pm, unless stated)

Potters Bar Town v Barnet (12.30pm)

The shoe is very much on the other foot for Darren Currie. Last season, the Bees were the National League’s last men standing after getting the better of now Premier League Sheffield United.

Now, they face a very tricky but very short 16-mile trip to Potters Bar Town looking to avoid having done to them what they handed out last season.

Bees beware. The Isthmian League Premier Scholars are nine games without defeat in all competitions, including four wins from the last five. The game is live on the BBC Sport website (12.30pm kick-off).

York City v Stockport County (5.20pm)

If this is - potentially of course - to be the last ever FA Cup tie to be staged at Bootham Crescent, York fans will demand they say goodbye in style.

With the Club’s new stadium nearing completion, the countdown is on. But don’t rule the Minstermen out - they are the only unbeaten side left in all three National League divisions and Steve Watson’s team are full of confidence.

BT Sport agree it’s a big one. They are broadcasting the game live on Saturday night.

Carshalton Athletic v Dagenham & Redbridge

With just one defeat since mid-August, Dagenham are in a strong position to avoid a nasty upset in south west London.

But Carshalton Athletic are also in impressive form - losing just one of their last nine Isthmian League matches.

Add into that wins in the FA Cup against Bracknell Town, Harrow Borough and Lowestoft Town and it may be a tougher afternoon than expected for Peter Taylor’s team.

Chesterfield v Wrexham (1pm)

Let’s be honest, same-division clashes in the FA Cup aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

But when two of the league’s best supported big boys come together after a season to forget so far, you can’t disguise the importance of the match. Particularly when this tie was an FA Cup Quarter-Final in 1997.

The two sides of course clashed in North Wales on Tuesday night, with Chesterfield running out 1-0 winners. Wrexham couldn’t time their first away win of the season any better.

Hartlepool United v Brackley Town

Brackley Town fans are becoming accustomed to the FA Cup highlife. Twice in the past five seasons the Saints have reached the second round.

Now they are at Hartlepool looking to continue their latest adventure - and they head to the north east having scored an incredible 18 goals in their last five matches.

That said, managerless Pools have confidence themselves and go into the game after their 3-0 win at Aldershot.