The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Cup duo could hit TV jackpot!

17 Oct 2016 By David Watters

The Ryman League's Merstham and Harrow Borough both pulled plum ties in Monday night's televised draw for the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup

After beating Ebbsfleet United 2-1 in the fourth and final qualifying round at the weekend and collecting £12,500 in prize money, the Moatsiders are getting ready to host League One Oxford United, one of a number of ties now in the running to be chosen by the BBC and BT Sport for live coverage.

Ryman Premier rivals Harrow Borough - replaying on Tuesday night in Kent after drawing 2-2 with Margate at Earlsmead at the weekend - could also hit the TV jackpot if they make it through after being drawn away to Northampton Town at the League One club's Sixfields Stadium.

The first round proper is due to be played over the weekend of Saturday November 5 and Sunday November 6 with £18,000 in prize money on offer to the winners. Eighty clubs went into the hat for Monday night's live draw on BBC2 and BT Sport - the 32 winners of last weekend's fourth qualifying round plus the 48 teams from League One and League Two.

Hereford-based Westfields FC, the lowest ranked side left in the competition from the Midland Football League, are also among the favourites to attract the attention of the broadcasters after being drawn at home to either National League York City or National League North Curzon Ashton.

Emirates FA Cup First Round Draw

Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
Millwall v Southend United
Dagenham & Redbridge v FC Halifax Town
Merstham v Oxford United
Taunton Town or Hemel Hempstead v Barrow
Southport v Fleetwood Town
Yeovil v Solihull Moors
Stockport County v Torquay or Woking
Dartford v Sutton United
Walsall v Macclesfield Town
Port Vale v Stevenage
Northampton v Harrow Borough or Margate
Cambridge United v Dover Athletic
Westfields v York or Curzon Ashton
MK Dons v Spennymoor Town
Gillingham v Brackley Town
Alfreton or Gateshead v Newport County
Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Maidstone United v Rochdale
Bury v AFC Wimbledon
St Albans City v Carlisle United
Boreham Wood v Notts County
Mansfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
Braintree Town v Eastbourne Borough
Hartlepool United v Wrexham or Stamford
Bolton Wanderers v Grimsby Town
Bradford City v Accrington Stanley
Oldham Athletic v Doncaster Rovers
Eastleigh v Swindon Town
Shrewsbury Town v Barnet
Morecambe v Coventry City
Crawley Town v Bristol Rovers
Whitehawk v Stourbridge
Colchester United v Chesterfield
Lincoln City or Guiseley v Altrincham
Exeter City v Luton Town
Charlton Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Cheltenham Town v Crewe Alexandra
Peterborough United v Chesham United
Blackpool v Kidderminster Harriers

For more information on the Emirates FA Cup including fixtures, results, exemptions and prize money, visit: www.thefa.com.

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Where next?

Early debut for new boss Thomas Former Guildford City boss Dean Thomas will take charge of Godalming Town for the first time in Ryman South on Tuesday night after being unveiled as the new G's manager.

Fingers crossed for cup hopefuls! The Ryman League's two surviving flag-bearers in the Emirates FA Cup are keeping their fingers crossed for lucrative ties in Monday night's televised draw for the first round proper.