After an enthralling first round of the Emirates FA Cup, the world’s oldest domestic cup competition is back again this weekend, with several clubs hoping to make history.
There will be 135 ties taking place over the three days, with five matches on Friday night and six on Sunday.
History has already been made, with the likes of Brixham, Buckhurst Hill, Bury AFC, Holyport, North Ferriby, Pinchbeck United, Sheerwater, St Panteleimon and Virginia Water reaching this round for the first time.
Brixham are among four Step 6 teams still in the competition, alongside Andover New Street, Newport (IOW) and Wincanton Town, with that the lowest level to enter the competition.
Gravesend-based Punjab United are among those who face the self-proclaimed ‘biggest game in their history’, as they look to reach the first round qualifying for the first time when they welcome Westfield FC on Saturday.
The big local derby between Buckinghamshire’s Marlow and Thame United will get Saturday’s action underway and can be watched live on the BBC’s red button, iPlayer and website, with kick-off at 12.30pm.
This weekend will also see the remaining Step 4 teams enter the competition, with the likes of Hashtag United looking to break new ground.
The race for the Mitre Golden Ball is already hotting up, with Moneyfields’ Callum Laycock and Warren Mfula of Sheppey United already on five goals.
It was at this stage of the competition that last season’s winner, Adam Boyes, entered the competition before the Marske United striker went on to score 11 goals in seven appearances.
There were also goals aplenty in Newhaven last week as the competition’s top scorers beat Canterbury City 10-0 in their extra preliminary round replay, to set up a clash with Mfula’s Sheppey United on Saturday.
The Emirates FA Cup often proves to be an important revenue stream for clubs in the football pyramid and winners this weekend will earn their club £1,444, with the losers still pocketing £481 each.
Should the games finish level or the match be postponed, the replays and rescheduled games must take place on or before Thursday 25 August. If the postponed games then require a replay, they must have occurred by Thursday 1 September, with the first round qualifying set to take place over the weekend of September 2-4.
Source: The Football Association