Top Five Buildbase FA Trophy First Games

The matches will be be played on the weekend of Saturday, December 16th, with this being an important step for the eventual winner, we've looked at some of the games, writes Tom Feaheny.

Wrexham v Harrogate Town

Second in the National League taking on the team who are second in the National League North, Wrexham have plenty of experience with the competition in recent seasons winning the trophy in 2013 on penalties and then losing in the final at Wembley in 2015 via the same way.

These two sides have never faced each other in a competitive match before, while the Red Dragons have entered at this stage, Simon Weaver's Town gained a dramatic late away win at Darlington on Friday night to get to this stage.

Former Wrexham loanee Mark Beck could go up against his old side in this match after recently arriving at the CNG Stadium.

Haringey Borough v Leyton Orient

Three divisions may separate these two clubs but they have a lot that connects the two sides, with the main person being Borough manager Tom Loizou, he has managed Orient at their reserve and youth teams and was also caretaker manager for a brief spell.

The match at Coles Park Stadium is a ground the Bostik North high-flyers enjoy playing at with the side on a 14 game unbeaten run at home in all competitions, they also defeated National League South side Welling United during their 2-1 FA Cup victory in September.

The O's are in the Trophy for the first time in their history.

Sutton United v Truro City

Two in-form sides who have impressed in the FA Cup in recent seasons will face each other at Gander Green Lane, with top of the National League taking on the side who are a point off first in the National League South.

Sutton United lost in the 1981 final to Bishop's Stortford 1-0, while Truro have equalled their joint-best effort in the competition by reaching the first round.

Truro's assistant manager Chris Todd has history with the trophy after reaching the final in 2008 with Torquay United.

Braintree Town v Brackley Town

Another battle of two teams on a good run of form in their respective divisions, these two teams have already met this season in the FA Cup with Brackley being the victors on the day by beating Braintree 4-1.

The two sides will be aiming to reach the National League next season after impressive starts in the South and North respectively.

While neither side has ever won the Trophy, Braintree got to the fifth round in 2002 and Brackley reached the quarter finals during the 2016-17 campaign.

FC Halifax Town V Macclesfield Town

The two Vanarama National League sides will meet with both having a different experience of playing at Wembley in Trophy finals during the past two seasons.

The Shaymen who are 12 points behind won the Trophy beating Grimsby Town two seasons ago while John Askey's Silkmen tasted defeat in a loss against York City last season.

The last time these two sides met was in the league and it was a 1-1 draw on the last day of the 2015-16 season at the Shay, that result saw FC Halifax Town relegated.

Picture by Will Grantham

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