Who Will Make The Big FA Cup Headlines This Time Around?

15 Oct 2021 By Sam Elliott

The National League hunters are joining the FA Cup pack but must avoid becoming entrapped before they really get going.

It’s the first step on the road to Wembley for 23 clubs, and they join those from the National League North and South and of course below in the fourth qualifying round.

They are all one game away from facing a big gun such as Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday or Ipswich Town with the draw taking place on Sunday lunchtime.

But before all that comes some demanding fixtures they must negotiate first.

It all gets underway on the BBC’s red button early on Saturday afternoon.

National League leaders Grimsby Town are in the firing line when they head to Bromsgrove Sporting.

Paul Hurst’s side aren’t the only team who must go to a lower level club who are certain to be pumped up for the big occasion.

Wrexham face one of the big stories of last season Marine and like Tottenham Hotspur they visit the Northern League side - and this time they’ll have a home crowd.

Curzon Ashton welcome Chesterfield, while Solihull Moors know they’ve got it all to do to avoid problems at Hereford.

FC Halifax Town are flying in the league but count Pontefract Collieries out at your peril.

Notts County face a challenging trip to Tamworth and Southend United pray their issues won’t worsen against Chertsey Town.

Havant & Waterlooville manager Paul Doswell loves the FA Cup and he takes his free-scoring Hawks to Torquay United.

Kidderminster Harriers must be careful at Step 4 side Bedfont Sports and so must Aldershot Town at Bowers & Pitsea - likewise Woking, who head to Horsham.

There’s a couple of games between clubs who know each other very well.

Yeovil and old rivals Weymouth face off, with Glovers boss Darren Sarll calling for unity before the big tie.

Wealdstone welcome Dagenham and Redbridge and Barnet play Boreham Wood.

The competition continues to be crucial for clubs with the winners of the next round earning £9,375.

The FA will give losing clubs £3,125 from the prize pot.

FA Cup matches involving National League clubs:
Marine vs Wrexham
Marske United vs Gateshead
Curzon Ashton vs Chesterfield
Brackley Town vs Guiseley
Hereford vs Solihull Moors
Pontefract vs FC Halifax Town
York City vs Morpeth Town
Kettering Town vs Buxton
Boston United vs Stratford Town
Stockport vs Stamford
Southport vs Altrincham
Tamworth vs Notts County
King's Lynn Town vs Peterborough Sports
Bromsgrove Sporting vs Grimsby Town
Southend United vs Chertsey Town
Bowers & Pitsea vs Aldershot Town
Hungerford Town v Bromley
Bedfont Sports v Kidderminster Harriers
AFC Sudbury vs Dartford
Maidenhead United vs Hastings United
Eastleigh vs Folkestone Invicta
Horsham vs Woking

Where next?

What Happened In The National League And FA Cup? The FA Cup may have taken the focus for many but there was plenty of National League action as well.

Unibet's Vanarama National League North & South Preview The FA Cup may be taking centre stage this weekend but make no mistake, there’s some big games still going on.