EMIRATES FA CUP | EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND PREVIEW
The Emirates FA Cup returns this weekend, with 20 Northern Football League Division One clubs beginning their campaigns in the Extra Preliminary Round.
Several all-Northern League ties feature on the schedule, ensuring that a number of our clubs will progress to the next stage. In County Durham, Birtley Town host recently relegated Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe welcome Kendal Town and Shildon face Blyth Town. Further north, Newcastle Benfield entertain Redcar Town, while Easington Colliery travel to Whitley Bay’s Hillheads Park. The remaining all-Northern League fixture takes place in Cumbria, where Carlisle City host Northallerton Town.
Elsewhere, two clubs will face Step 5 opposition from the Northern Counties East League. Crook Town welcome former Northern League side Pickering Town, while Whickham travel to Knaresborough Town.
The remaining six clubs will test themselves against Step 4 opposition from the Northern Premier League East Division. Penrith and Yarm & Eaglescliffe have home advantage against Bridlington Town and West Auckland Town respectively. Horden CW travel to Ashington’s Woodhorn Lane, while Newcastle Blue Star make the short journey to face Blyth Spartans.
North Shields visit Consett in a repeat of their 2018–19 Extra Preliminary Round meeting, while Thornaby travel to Guisborough Town for the first FA Cup tie between the clubs since the 2003–04 season.
Marske United were originally drawn against Boro Rangers meaning they have received a walkover and will play their first match in the Preliminary Round.
The FA Cup provides clubs with the opportunity to create lasting memories, attract new supporters and test themselves on a national stage. For players, officials, volunteers and supporters, the early rounds remain a special part of the competition, bringing together local rivalries, unfamiliar opponents and the prospect of progressing further in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.
For two of our clubs this Saturday will hopefully be the start of many happy memories as they compete in the competition for the very first time. We spoke to Stephen Jackson (Yarm & Eaglescliffe manager) and Mitch Morris (Redcar Town manager) and here’s what they had to day:
Stephen Jackson: “This is a prestigious moment for the club in our first ever FA Cup game after only existing for 9 years. And what more could we ask for than a home tie against a newly promoted step 4 team and a club steeped in so much history as West Auckland Town.
As much as we are looking forward to the day, we are desperate to advance and progress in the competition. We know it’s going to be a tough ask against an excellent side but we will give it our all.
This is just another step in the club’s rapid progression and we aim to continue moving forward. We hope to get a good crowd in for our inaugural FA Cup game and put on a good performance which will hopefully result in a positive outcome.”
Mitch Morris: “The Emirates FA Cup is a prestigious competition and it’s unbelievable to be playing in it for the first time. Whilst I have played in the competition previously under Andy Campbell while at Norton, it’s a different type of special moment to lead a club from my hometown in the competition.
It will be a tough match against such an established side as Newcastle Benfield and while a win on Saturday would be excellent, a draw and a reply back at The Neeform Stadium midweek would also give our fantastic fans a great experience should it be needed with a home tie against Penrith or Bridlington Town being the prize for the winner.
We are undefeated so far this season with three wins and one draw but forms goes out the window in The FA Cup and we look forward to the game against Newcastle Benfield”
The Northern Football League wishes all competing clubs the very best of luck. With places in the Preliminary Round at stake, we look forward to an exciting afternoon of cup football and strong support across all 14 fixtures.