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

By Tom Scott

If you’re hungry for a giant-killing there might be something that will take your fancy in the FA Cup this weekend.

With the bigger sides starting to enter the competition, there is no shortage of National League sides looking to upset the apple cart.

The third round, and blockbuster Premier League sides, are in sight but there are some tough ties to deal with first.

National League leaders Boreham Wood face familiar opposition in Eastleigh in one of five all-National League ties.

Southend United are on the road to Derbyshire to face in-form Chesterfield while FC Halifax Town host Maidenhead United.

Gateshead and Kidderminster Harriers have hopes of being the National League next season – what better way to prove their credentials than knocking out Altrincham and Grimsby Town respectively.

Solihull Moors
face the unenviable task of a trip to the highest-place side starting out in the competition as they head to 2013 winners Wigan Athletic.

Stockport County will be backed by a 5,000-strong crowd for their huge trip to nearby Bolton Wanderers.

Some of our sides will be hoping to avoid being the scalp of the round.

York City hosts Buxton who are under the stewardship of ex-Curzon boss Steve Cunningham while Yeovil Town head to Yate Town.

Havant & Waterlooville face a glamour tie at The Valley against Charlton Athletic.

King’s Lynn Town can equal their best-ever FA Cup run but need to see off League Two Walsall.

It’s Monday night football for Dagenham & Redbridge who welcome Salford City.

Guiseley are eyeing a big coup at the expense of League One AFC Wimbledon.

Harrogate Town are going well in League Two since their Promotion Final win – something Wrexham will be well aware of if they are to cause an upset.

Bromley face a tough ask to get anything from their trip to Rotherham United, but Andy Woodman will be buoyed by their recent form.

After trouncing Tamworth in their replay in the last round Notts County will be full of confidence for their trip to Rochdale.

Ebbsfleet United are flying in the National League South and will take that all the way to Leyton Orient.

St Albans City know it won’t be easy, but they can reach the second round for the first time in 25 years if they can overcome Forest Green Rovers.

It’s not just prestige the tie winners will receive – with a cash injection of £22,629 on offer, there’s another incentive.

FA Cup matches involving National League clubs:
AFC Wimbledon v Guiseley
Boreham Wood v Eastleigh
Charlton Athletic v Havant & Waterlooville
Chesterfield v Southend United
FC Halifax Town v Maidenhead United
Gateshead v Altrincham
Harrogate Town v Wrexham
Kidderminster Harriers v Grimsby Town
King’s Lynn Town v Walsall
Leyton Orient v Ebbsfleet United
Rotherham v Bromley
Wigan Athletic v Solihull Moors
Yate Town v Yeovil Town
York City v Buxton
Bolton Wanderers v Stockport County
Rochdale v Notts County
St Albans City v Forest Green Rovers
Dagenham & Redbridge v Salford City

Where next?

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