FA Trophy- a guide to the 3rd Qualifying Round Draw

The draw for the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy was made earlier today, and it produced some exciting clashes. Let’s look at them in the order they were drawn.

Lewes, who removed Merthyr Town from the competition at the weekend, are rewarded with another home draw- this time against National League South Hemel Hempstead Town. The Tudors are in good form, defeating Gloucester City- who knocked Dorking Wanderers out of the FA Cup- at the weekend, and Bath City- who knocked the Rooks out of the FA Cup- the weekend before that. Town have already played two matches against Bostik League opposition this season, defeating Bowers & Pitsea 6-1 and Ramsgate 5-0, so the Rooks will have to be at their best to win.

Chipstead and Bedford Town have to replay after a 2-2 draw at the weekend, and if the Chips come through that they will face Worthing at High Road. Worthing, of course, defeated Chesham United with only ten men on Saturday.

If Brentwood Town can get past Poole Town in a replay they’ll host our League leaders, Dorking Wanderers, who knocked out Tonbridge Angels on Saturday. Greenwich Borough will be off to the seaside, their reward for victory over Bishop’s Storford a trip to Torquay United- who currently host Borough’s opponents, Truro City. There’s an excellent fish and chip shop about five minutes walk from the away end, Borough fans!

Wingate and Finchley came from two goals down to defeat Tiverton Town on Saturday, and they are heading west once more, to face Chippenham Town, who currently sit seventh in National League South.

Folkestone Invicta’s reward for victory over Didcot Town at the weekend is a trip to National League South promotion favourites Woking. The Cards sit in third place, three points behind leaders Billericay Town, and won 1-0 at Torquay United at the weekend. Their ground, by the way, is a long goal kick away from the home of Bostik South Central club Westfield FC.

Carshalton Athletic will welcome some old friends and rivals to Colston Avenue, as Anthony Gale and his Walton Casuals swagger into town, fresh from knocking out Bognor Regis Town on Saturday. Meanwhile South Central form side Hayes and Yeading United will look to do a little more giantkilling as they host Bostik Premier Division Brightlingsea Regent.

Another side used to killing giants- they’ve already done it three times this season, defeating Carshalton Athletic, Corinthian-Casuals and Potters Bar Town- will have to make it four if they are to progress. Horsham will host Bath City, fourth in National League South.

Ties will be played the weekend of 24 November, and winners will pick up five thousand pounds. Here's the draw, as it affects our clubs:

19 Lewes v Hemel Hempstead Town
20 Chipstead or Bedford Town v Worthing
24 Brentwood Town or Poole Town v Dorking Wanderers
27 Truro City v Greenwich Borough
28 Chippenham Town v Wingate & Finchley
33 Woking v Folkestone Invicta
35 Carshalton Athletic v Walton Casuals
37 Hayes & Yeading United v Brightlingsea Regent
39 Horsham v Bath City