The FA Cup begins this weekend. Where are the potential banana-skin ties? The Football Lab looks ahead to all 40 games, starting with Friday night’s match at Salford…
Salford City v Notts Co
An exciting night is in store for Salford City, who are in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. They got here in some style too, beating Conference side Southport 1-0 thanks to a stunner from James Poole. Notts County, however, have found some much-needed defensive stability in recent weeks and the in-form Magpies should pull through.
Accrington v York
Having been a fairly defensive-minded player during his playing career, new York boss Jackie McNamara will look to re-organize a side that has not kept a league clean sheet in 10 attempts. The former Celtic man will be sure to warn his troops of the threat posed by Stanley’s Josh Windass, who netted his 8th goal of the season at Leyton Orient last week. Reds boss John Coleman will hope to get key centre-back Tom Davies back in his starting eleven, as the Lancashire hosts aim for a third straight win.
AFC Wimbledon v Forest Green
Forest Green are still top of the Conference, but they have lost 2 of their last 3 games and promotion for them this season does not look nailed on as it did in the first few weeks. Adrian Pennock’s side travel to West London to play AFC Wimbledon, who have won their last 3. This competition gave AFC Wimbledon a memorable tie against Liverpool last season and they will be hungry for another cup adventure.
Altrincham v Barnsley
Altrincham have a good record in the FA Cup. In 1986, they beat Birmingham City to become one of the few non-league teams in history to knock out top flight opposition. Their chances of another scalp look promising, as the Manchester outfit take on a Barnsley side devoid of experience at the back and without a League One point since September.
Barnet v Blackpool
Barnet might be without first choice goalkeeper Graham Stack, but in his absence they still managed a 2-0 victory over Exeter, a result that prolonged the Bees’ impressive run of form. Blackpool continue to struggle near the bottom of League One and have lost their last two encounters with fourth tier opponents.
Barwell v Welling
‘Winning isn’t everything’ according to the Welling fanzine. That may be just as well, with the Conference club doing so just the once in their last five league games and languishing in 18th. Seventh tier side Barwell are 15th in the Northern League, and their preparation for this match has been far from ideal. Jim Ginnelly’s men lost 6-1 at Leamington in the FA Trophy last time out while the weather has affected their recent training sessions. Away win.
Burton v Peterborough
The League One fixture between these teams saw Peterborough denied a point by a wrongly-disallowed late goal. Posh have since sacked Dave Robertson, and replacement boss Graham Westley has instigated an upturn in fortunes with more attacking football to boot. Burton lost 5-0 to Barnsley in this round last year and while they are impressing in League One, they may fall victim to Peterborough’s resurgence.
Bury v Wigan
Yanic Wildschut
Bury and Wigan will be sick of the sight of each other. The two north-west clubs go head-to-head for the third time in three months in all competitions, and still have another league meeting at the DW Stadium in February. Bury have conceded 7 goals in their last 3 games while Wigan are unbeaten since mid-September. The Latics have benefited hugely from loaning in Yanic Wildschut and if the attacking midfielder starts, he could cause the Shakers problems.
Cambridge v Basingstoke
Cambridge play their first match without Richard Money in the dugout since September 2012. However, interim boss Joe Dunne is popular with the players and will hope to get the best out of an experienced squad. Dunne’s first game in charge of the U’s of Cambridge, rather than Colchester, comes against Basingstoke Town. The sixth tier side have won 5 of their last 8 games and boast a reliable goalscorer in Chris Flood, who netted in the First Round last season.
Coventry v Northampton
Northampton play a football match in Coventry, when it had so often been the other way round, as Coventry had once moving to Sixfields for a year due to off-field problems. Northampton Town can now empathize with their opponents, as the Cobblers failed to pay its player’s wages last week due to debts of over £10 million. The feel-good factor is now with Coventry and speedy striker Alan Armstrong, who looks to add to his 12 goal tally.
Crawley v Luton
This was a League Two game last month, and very much one of two halves. Luton dominated the opening period but fell victim to a second half onslaught, as Crawley netted twice in the latter stages to come from behind with Matt Harrold scoring the winner. That result provoked further questions of Hatters manager John Still, and another defeat would put the former Dagenham boss under some pressure.
Crewe v Eastleigh
Eastleigh threaten to replicate the swift rise of former non-league clubs such as Crawley and Fleetwood, with similarly strong financial backing. The south-east outfit boast a squad filled with Football League experience and will be more than a match for a Crewe side bottom of League One. The two clubs are moving in different directions and this could be the shock result of the round.
Dag & Red v Morecambe
This fixture brings back memories of the 2010 League Two play-off semi-final, which saw Dagenham win 6-0 at Victoria Road before beating Rotherham at Wembley to go up. Unfortunately for Daggers fans, hopes of another visit to Wembley in this competition seem rather faint, with the club bottom of League Two. With the services of Tom Barkuizen and Shaun Miller, Morecambe have goals in their team and should win this.
Doncaster v Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge have hardly had ideal preparation for their trip to South Yorkshire. They lost their last match 5-0 to AFC Fylde, while top scorer Steve Tames has been left out of the last two starting elevens. Doncaster have had an underwhelming start to life under Darren Ferguson with 6 points from a possible 15. However, Saturday’s victory and first clean sheet in 12 against Colchester represents a forward step.
Dover v Stourbridge
Dover enjoyed the FA Cup last season. A fully deserved 1-0 win at Cheltenham in the second round earned them a tie with Premier League Crystal Palace, from which the club has benefited financially. The south coast Conference club host Gary Hackett’s Stourbridge, who have lost twice in all competitions since early September, although those were their last two league games. Stefan Payne is in decent form for the hosts and this blog backs Dover to win.
Omar Bogle
Grimsby v St Albans City
Grimsby’s back-line has stayed strong this season despite the summer departure of key defender Carl Magnay. Going forward, the Mariners boast a physically-imposing goalscorer in former Solihull Moors man Omar Bogle. Paul Hurst’s men face St Albans in confident mood, as the south-east visitors are second bottom of the Conference South and are over reliant on the goals of former Farnborough forward Louie Theophanous.
Hartlepool v Cheltenham
Hartlepool’s Rakeesh Bingham netted in this League Two fixture last season, which saw Ronnie Moore get his first victory in charge of the north east club. A 2-0 win catalysed an impressive run which saw Pool stay up at the expense of Cheltenham, who went down in a season of hellish instability. This season, the resurgent Robins have revenge in mind.
Leyton Orient v Staines Town
38-year-old Staines centre-back Darren Purse goes back to Brisbane Road, where he first began his footballing career in 1994. His old club’s record of 7 wins in 16 league games sounds impressive, but less so when one considers that 5 of them came in August. Pressure is on Ian Hendon, but with Staines three divisions below his side – and coming into the game after back-to-back defeats – the former West Ham coach should avoid further scrutiny on this occasion.
Mansfield v Oldham
Both of these clubs have memories of playing Liverpool in this competition during the 2012-13 campaign, with Oldham beating them 2-1 in a fourth round contest. Mansfield might be 6th but they have lost back-to-back home games as top scorer Matt Green has struggled to build on strong early-season performances. Oldham have conceded just 3 goals in their last 4 games and a narrow away win seems plausible.
Millwall v AFC Fylde
AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor likes to get his teams playing open, attacking football, and that has worked for them brilliantly in the Conference North, but may be their undoing against League One Millwall. The Lions have ended their home hoodoo in emphatic style, as 4 straight victories at the Den preceded last week’s draw with Bradford. Neil Harris’ men have tightened up in recent weeks and should avoid a third straight cup exit to lower league opposition.
Northwich Victoria v Boreham Wood
Northwich manager Jim Gannon has a reputation in non-league for being an experimental tactician. His principles may be working for him at the moment, with the Cheshire side top of the Evo-Stik Division One North. There is a chance for Northwich against a Boreham Wood side that are hugely underachieving in the Conference, with a squad filled with Football League experience. Luke Garrard, the recently-appointment manager of the London club, will hope for an instant change in fortunes.
Plymouth v Carlisle
Thankfully for Carlisle’s travelling fans, this fixture is not arranged to be played on a Tuesday night as it was in August. The Cumbrians lost 4-1 that evening, but things have since picked up for the club with 4 wins in their last 7 games and a memorable League Cup run. Plymouth will have their eyes firmly on promotion, meaning Carlisle have a good chance at Home Park.
Portsmouth v Macclesfield
One of the highlight’s of Macclesfield’s recent history has been their FA Cup performances. They went to Stamford Bridge in the third round back in 2007, before beating Cardiff and holding Sheffield Wednesday in more recent years. Portsmouth manager Paul Cook has shown a disregard for cup competitions so the opportunity is there for the travelling Silkmen to cause an upset.
Martin Ling
Rochdale v Swindon
Keith Hill has got his Rochdale team fired up for the FA Cup in recent seasons, as the Manchester outfit have two wins against Championship opposition under the ex-Barnsley boss’ tutelage. Martin Ling takes charge of a Swindon Town team second bottom and injury-stricken. The new boss will hope for swift returns for key men Nathan Thompson and Wes Thomas, without whom the Robins are struggling.
Scunthorpe v Southend
Scunthorpe manager Mark Robins won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1990, scoring a goal in the third round that is thought to have changed Sir Alex Ferguson’s career. A similar transformation may be happening at Glanford Park, with the Iron winning 5 games in October when Robins had recently looked destined for the sack. Southend have thrown away leads in their last two games, meaning momentum is with Scunthorpe here.
Sheff Utd v Worcester City
Worcester City? Winning away to a League One side in the First Round of the FA Cup? Impossible, surely? Not so, as Carl Heeley’s troops proved at Coventry last year in a heroic display at the Ricoh. Sean Geddes looks to put last week’s missed penalty behind him in his attempts to fire his side to another cup shock. Worcester’s chances against the Championship-chasing Blades are minimal, but if last year’s adventures have taught them anything, it’s that cup dreams can come true.
charlie lee
Stevenage v Gillingham
Midfielders Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale could face their old club, as Stevenage look to bounce back from last week’s mauling by Oxford. Justin Edinburgh made wholesale changes when his Gillingham side played Birmingham in the League Cup, and with the Kent outfit just a point off the top two in League One, it is not hard to guess where the ex-Newport boss’ targets lie.
Walsall v Fleetwood
Walsall and Fleetwood were used to midtable mediocrity in League One last season, but fortunes have changed for both clubs. Walsall are now top after a dramatic victory over Gillingham, while Fleetwood’s run of 7 defeats in 9 league games has seen them drop into the bottom 4. Walsall have won the last two meetings between these teams 1-0 and with the Cod Army struggling for goals, we could see a repeat of the same scoreline.
Wealdstone v Colchester
Wealdstone have football’s longest serving manager in England in Gordon Bartlett, who has been in charge of the Ruislip club since 1995. Bartlett’s attention to defensive organization is paying off, with his troops winning promotion to the Conference South in 2014 and now on an impressive 7 game unbeaten run. Wealdstone face a more cavalier outfit in Colchester United, who are 16th in League One despite having the division’s worst defensive record. The U’s conceded three goals against Conference South opposition in the First Round last year, but thankfully for them, they put six goals past Gosport Borough. Expect Colchester to progress here, too.
Didcot Town v Exeter
Didcot Town are the lowest ranked team in the FA Cup but joint-managers Jamie Heapy and Ian Concannon are well prepared for this match. Club scouts went to analyse Exeter City’s 2-0 defeat to Barnet, and one of the things they will have noticed is that the Grecians struggle against physical teams, so Didcot have a chance if they show some aggression in this match. Some pressure is mounting on Exeter boss Paul Tisdale, who has publicly criticized the levels of performance from his players. This has the feel of a potential banana-skin game.
Aldershot v Bradford
Chances of an upset here are reduced by the absence of Jack Saville, whose return to his natural centre-back position coincided with Aldershot’s run of 2 goals conceded in 5 games. Prospects look bleak for the Conference outfit, as they host a Bradford City side that have not lost in five games and continue to hold firm at the back.
Brackley Town v Newport
Eddie Odhiambo (while at Newport)
This match will see Brackley defender Eddie Odhiambo face Newport, the club that released the Tanzanian back in 2011. However, his current teammates seem to have gone from being one of the best defensive units outside the Football League in late 2013 to battling against a drop to the seventh tier. Newport County have experienced an upturn in form under new boss John Sheridan and the visitors are rightly favourites.
Braintree v Oxford
Oxford United have already had two cup wins against higher league opposition, so a trip to Conference side Braintree would seem a walk in the park by comparison. In fact, such confidence from the Yellows troops would be naïve, as Braintree are 5th in the 5th tier, having lost just 5 games. Marshalled superbly at the back by Sam Habergham, the Cressing Road side boast the best defensive record in the Conference and will provide more than worthy opposition.
Bristol Rovers v Chesham United
Bristol Rovers will be used to this type of match. Spending a year in the Conference last season, they faced many groups of humble bus-parkers who treated a clash with Rovers as a major cup final. As a side that are struggling in the seventh tier, Andy Leese’s Chesham will be no different. Although, the boys from Buckinghamshire boast a better attacking record the any team in the bottom half in their division, and have a decent source of goals in former Wycombe winger Dave Pearce.
Gainsborough Trinity v Shrewsbury
Gainsborough go into this match in poor form, a 3-0 defeat away to Curzon being the Conference North side’s 3rd straight league defeat. However, fans of the Lincolnshire club are boosted by the arrival of Adam Drury, who had played in the SPL as recently as last season and should add pace out wide. Shrewsbury have lost 6 of their last 8 games in all forms but the three division gap between these teams should still prove too wide.
Halifax v Wycombe
Matt Ingram
Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Mansfield last time out, although the League Two play-off contenders had to rely on a string of saves from Matt Ingram to get it. Halifax Town seem to have gone downhill since losing start striker Lee Gregory to Millwall the summer before last, and the Shaymen have picked up just 10 points from 19 Conference games this season. You can bank on Halifax losing this one.
Maidstone United v Yeovil
The fact that this could be a league fixture next season shows just how far Yeovil Town have fallen. At the beginning of the previous calender year, the Glovers were a Championship side, but a disastrous two years later, they are in grave danger of dropping out of the Football League. By contrast, Maidstone are on the up. The Kent outfit have the best defensive record in the Conference South, benefiting from sturdy performances at the back from Callum Driver and Tom Mills. This blog predicts an upset at the Gallagher Stadium.
Whitehawk v Lincoln City
Whitehawk might be in the Conference South but they have plenty of Football League experience in their ranks. 31-year-old defender Dean Leacock was playing in the Championship with Derby just three years ago, while Sergio Torres and Sam Deering have played for Crawley and Cheltenham respectively as recently as 2014. However, the Hawks defence will need to be strong against Matt Rhead. The in-form target man has already formed an impressive ‘big man, little man’ partnership with poacher Liam Hearn, the duo scoring 18 of Lincoln’s 28 league goals this season.
Port Vale v Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United will travel to Burslem in buoyant mood, after a run of 4 straight league wins has taken them to 5th in the Conference South. There will be no-one more buoyant than top scorer David Tarpey, the typically hardworking forward netting a hat-trick against Basingstoke on Saturday. While Maidenhead will be in good spirits, League One Port Vale’s home record over the last couple of years has been superb, which makes it hard to see an upset on Saturday.
FC United of Manchester v Chesterfield
Dean Saunders
It may be no coincidence that Chesterfield’s upturn in form has come at the same time as Chris Herd’s emergence. The former Aston Villa man always shows discipline in midfield, allowing more creative players to push forward. Therefore, it is hard to see Dean Saunder’s men losing their defensive shape against FC United. The Red Rebels have struggled to continue their momentum from winning promotion to the Conference North last season, and sit in 17th after 5 straight league defeats.