On the edge of glory!

By Ian Townsend

Eight of our clubs kick off in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup- each of them facing National League opposition. Here’s our preview.

AFC Sudbury host National League South leaders Dartford. The Yellows have been in fine form, with only one defeat all season and having defeated Cockfosters, Potton United, Stowmarket Town and Cheshunt to reach this stage; but the Darts will prove tough opponents. Five points clear at the top of their division they are not only unbeaten but have dropped points only once all season- in a draw against Tonbridge Angels. They defeated Hythe Town five-one in the Second Qualifying Round.

Bedfont Sports have lost only once all season, and have already knocked a National League side out of the FA Cup, defeating Dulwich Hamlet in the Second Qualifying Round. Sports welcome Kidderminster Harriers of National League North to the end of the Heathrow runway. Harriers haven’t won a league match since August Bank Holiday Monday which is why they sit in mid table, but they have won two Cup matches during that period- former South Central side Ware their last victims.

Bowers & Pitsea welcome Aldershot Town to the Len Salmon. The visitors are second bottom of the National League having won only two of their ten matches so far this season, and have departed the competition at this stage in four of the last eight seasons. Bowers are in fine form, and until narrow defeat against then-leaders Kingstonian last weekend were eight matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Corinthian-Casuals host National League South opposition as St Albans City arrive at King George’s Field. City are nine games unbeaten in all competitions, and indeed haven’t lost since August 21st; whilst Casuals have been superb in the FA Cup, walloping three goals past Worthing, Leatherhead and Wingate & Finchley on their way to this stage.

Folkestone Invicta remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, and have already knocked higher-league opposition out of the cup, sending Gloucester City back to the South West with nothing in the last round. They travel to Eastleigh, who sit in thirteenth place in the National League with three wins and four defeats from ten- although they’ve only one defeat from their last four and have lost only once at home- on the opening day to Wrexham.

Horsham have nearly sold all of the tickets for the visit of Woking, who don’t have all that far to travel! The Hornets have been superb in the Cup, defeating National League South Eastbourne Borough, then league-leaders Kingstonian and South East leaders Haywards Heath Town to get to this stage; whilst the Cards are in eleventh place in the National League and without a single draw this season, five wins and four defeats coming from their nine matches. They lost to Grimsby Town last weekend, ending a run of three consecutive defeats.

Hastings United are on the road to National League Maidenhead United. Our United travel having won their last eight matches in all competitions, and will be confident given they removed National League South Chippenham Town away from home in the last round. Maidenhead have won only two of their ten matches so far this season- the first two- and are without a victory since August 28th. They won’t need reminding that they lost at home to Cray Valley PM at this stage last season- but we’ve reminded them anyway!

Finally, Chertsey Town head to the Essex seaside, where they take on Great Wakering Rovers smaller neighbours, Southend United. United have had an awful start to their first National League campaign after relegation, winning only one of their last nine matches and seeing manager Phil Brown depart after defeat at Chesterfield last weekend. The Curfews, in contrast, remain unbeaten in all competitions and travel on the back of a four match winning streak.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.

Where next?

Two new Dockers Roman Campbell and Sam Coombes reinforce Tilbury
Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon amongst the opponents for our sides in the FA Youth Cup Ten of our sides have negotiated the Qualifying Rounds to reach the First Round of the FA Youth Cup- and now, time for the big boys!

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe