Highlights switch brings welcome windfall

Maidstone United are looking forward to collecting a £12,500 television fee after the schedules for the FA Cup's First Round were agreed by the Football Association with BBC TV and BT Sport on Thursday.

After winning 2-1 at Welling in the final qualifying round on Saturday, the Ryman Premier club will bank the TV windfall after their tie at Stevenage Borough was among eight switched to Sunday to be shown on a special interactive FA Cup Final Score programme from 1.55pm on BBC1 and later on a highlights show on BBC2 from 6.30pm.

BBC TV return to cover the FA Cup for the first time since 2008 this season and their coverage over the weekend will also include a special Football Focus on Saturday 8 November live from Weston-Super-Mare. BT Sport are kicking off their coverage with two live games - FC Halifax Town v Bradford City and Havant & Waterlooville v Preston North End.

East Thurrock United are the Ryman League's other flag bearer in the FA Cup after they hammered Bath City 7-1 at the weekend and were rewarded with an away trip to League Two Hartlepool United. The Rocks may have missed out on a TV highlights fee but will no doubt feature heavily on Sky's Soccer Saturday with host Jeff Stelling a passionate fan of their North East opponents.

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