A North and Cup Saturday

We have a dozen sides in FA Cup First Qualifying Round action.

We await FA confirmation that Cambridge City v Maldon & Tiptree will go ahead. 

Premier Division Brentwood Town don’t have too far to travel, the Blues heading to North Division side Concord Rangers. Town have lost four in a row and will hope to end that run, whilst the Beachboys have had a fantastic start, unbeaten in six matches in League and Cups, and will be eyeing a giant killing.

We’ve an all-North tie as Canvey Island- who have just parted company with their manager- play host to Newmarket Town, a first of two meetings between the sides this month. The Gulls saw a four match unbeaten run come to an end against Bowers and Pitsea on Monday, whilst the Jockeys are four unbeaten in League and Cups.

Fakenham Town hit the road to take on Ware. Town are still looking for a first League win but have been much more successful in Cup and Trophy, winning three times. Their hosts have also seen their only victories so far come in Cups, but despite that have only one defeat from six matches, that arriving on Bank Holiday Monday. 

Wingate and Finchley play host to North opponents, Felixstowe and Walton United making the trip. The Blues were three unbeaten prior to losing to Enfield Town on Monday; whilst the travelling Seasiders will hope that they’ve found their feet after a poor start, their thumping win over Brightlingsea Regent on Monday making it two wins in a row.

Grays Athletic are three without a win but will hope to become giantkiller as Pitching In Southern Central side Leiston arrive at Tilbury. Leiston are a little inconsistent, winning two, drawing two and losing two of their six matches so far. 

Gorleston are on the road to Leighton Town, their hosts in fifteenth place in Pitching In Southern Premier Central with only one win so far. The Greens have won four of their five matches so far in League and Cups, and will fancy their chances of causing an upset. 

St Albans City renew acquaintances with Hashtag United, although of course this seasons that’s a Premier v North clash. The Saints are two unbeaten, whilst the Tags have won each of their six competitive matches so far, scoring a rather incredible twenty six goals in the process (whilst conceding three). City defeated the Tags home and away last season.

Mulbarton Wanderers are at home to Conard United. Wanderers have lost their last two Trophy and League matches after a positive start which saw them win five in a row in all competitions, but have won both of their home fixtures so far. Their Step Five visitors, of the Eastern Counties Premier, have played nine times so far this season, their only victories coming in the Cup. 

Witham Town play host to Stotfold. Town started the campaign with five unbeaten matches but have lost their last two, albeit one of those defeats arrived on penalties; whilst their visitors have three wins from six competitive fixtures, all of those arriving in cup competitions. They departed the FA Trophy at the hands of Gorleston last weekend. 

Buckhurst Hill travel to take on Yaxley. Hill have had an inconsistent start to their campaign, winning three and losing three in all competitions, whilst their hosts six in sixteenth place in United Counties Premier South, and are also in somewhat mixed form.

Back in Pitching In Isthmian North, Redbridge could move level with Hashtag United at the summit if they can win at Brightlingsea Regent, whilst Little Oakley could climb as high as third ion they can defeat visitors AFC Sudbury, the Yellows having lost their first four League fixtures. Lowestoft Town will hope to climb out of the bottom four as Bowers and Pistea head their way.