Bring on the big boys! The road to Wembley continues

We’re now only five rounds away from Non League Finals Day on 20th May, and today the big boys entered the FA Trophy as the draw for the First Round was made. It promises a number of intriguing ties- and potential ties- for our remaining sides.

North Division Haringey Borough, who have already played six matches in this season’s competition, have been given perhaps the plum tie of the round, having been drawn at home to Leyton Orient! The east Londoners, relegated from the Football League at the end of the last campaign, are on a dreadful run at the moment and last won a match on 2nd September. Borough, and their deadly striker Ralston Gabriel, will be hoping to help them maintain that poor form!

Billericay Town, who knocked National League South side Hungerford Town out of their second cup competition this season at the weekend, have been rewarded with a home tie against last seasons Premier Division champions Havant and Waterlooville, conquerors of Dorking Wanderers at the weekend, whilst Wingate and Finchley have been drawn away from home to either Wealdstone or Chelmsford City.

Kingstonian, and cup kings Heybridge Swifts (who will enter December having played fewer than half the number of league games managed by most of the sides in the North Division due to their knock-out exploits), must replay on Wednesday night, and the winners will face a trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough- a local derby for the K's, but they'll have to work very hard to get to it!

Hendon have a difficult task tomorrow night as they travel to face a Slough Town side who have lost only one home match all season- but the reward for the victors will be a home tie with either Bath City or our very own Margate.

Matches will be played on Saturday 16th December.