It’s FA Cup Tuesday!

Bedfont Sports are describing tonight’s FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie with Canvey Island as the “biggest match in our history,” and they go into it in fine form. They walloped Chipstead five-nil in the league on Saturday, and have already knocked two Isthmian Premier Division sides out of the cup this season, Lewes and Carshalton Athletic. Canvey should prove a stern test, as our North Division side have lost only one match in all competitions so far this season, and that by the only goal of the game against Maldon and Tiptree. They’ve defeated Ware, Dereham Town and Biggleswade to get this far.

Maldon will have memories of last season’s cup heroics to guide them towards their match at Braintree Town. The Jammers may be much changed, but they are also undefeated, so some things don’t seem to change at all! Braintree have lost their opening two National League South matches this season, and in the cup defeated Hashtag United on penalties in the last round.

Cray Wanderers have experienced a relatively new sensation in their last two matches- defeat, their first after an unbeaten run stretching back to January 1st. They’ll want to put that right at Bristol Manor Farm tonight- and please don’t travel without a ticket, the match is sold out. The hosts play in Pitching In Southern Division One Central, and lost three-nil against AFC Totton on Saturday but have been in good form prior to that match.

Bury Town welcome Nuneaton Borough to Ram Meadow, and won’t be at all overawed given they’ve won every match they’ve played this season. Borough, these days in the Pitching In Southern Premier Central, haven’t won a league game so far this season, but of course do have two victories in the cup- although both of those came at home.

Cambridge City’s prize for defeating Cheshunt is the arrival of Halesowen Town of Pitching In Southern Central Division One. The visitors, who of course kicked off their campaign by losing narrowly in the Semi-Final of the FA Trophy, have lost only one match since- defeat by the odd goal in seven against Corby Town at the weekend.

Chichester City have our former favourites and these days National League South side Tonbridge Angels visiting them in Sussex. City picked up their first league win of the season on Saturday, but it’s been a different story in the cup where this will be their fourth tie of the season. Angels have won one and lost one of their two matches this season, falling to defeat at home to Hungerford Town on Saturday.

Cray Valley PM and Aveley meet at Badgers, both having had strong starts to the season, whilst Hornchurch, who have had injuries galore which certainly hasn’t helped as their campaign has got off to rather a stuttering start, travel to face Hampton and Richmond Borough. The Beavers drew with Dartford at the Beveree on Saturday, and in their three competitive matches so far have scored one goal and conceded one.

Haringey Borough welcome Bracknell Town to Coles Park, both sides undoubtedly delighted with their starts to the campaign, whilst Barking, who won’t be so happy given they haven’t won a league match yet, travel to Hartley Wintney. The Pitching In Southern Premier South side have drawn three and lost one of their four league fixtures so far, and had a fright against Hanwell Town in the last round before recovering to triumph five-three.

Chipstead travel to another Southern Premier South side, Hayes & Yeading United, Hayes and Yeading United, who defeated Bognor Regis Town five-nil in the last round and who have lost only once this season.

Finally, Whyteleafe play host to FA Trophy finalists Concord Rangers. Rangers are undefeated from their three matches this season, and as well as progressing to a date at Wembley courtesy of that win against Halesowen have defeated Potters Bar Town in the Cup and drawn with St Albans City. Don’t write off the Hawks, however- they may be two steps lower than their visitors but they’ve been in scintillating form since we kicked off, with six victories and one draw from their seven matches across all competitions.