We are reaching the business end of the FA Trophy as teams are now three games from Wembley. Add to that a cool £10,000 for getting through to the semi-finals and the pressure will be on for the eight remaining sides…
Stockport County vs Brackley Town @15:00
A battle between two National League North sides sees 10th host 3rd. This is uncharted waters for Stockport, having never reached this stage before, but they can draw confidence from victories over Maidenhead United, Kidderminster Harriers and Southport thus far. The Hatters lost at home to Nuneaton Town last time out, with their home League record now reading eight wins, four draws and three losses, and will be keen to get back on track and avenge a 3-2 defeat to Brackley when the sides met at St James Park in December. The hosts score a lot, netting 53 in 30 League games, 19 coming from Jason Oswell, but they have also conceded a rather high 44. Brackley have come through some tough opposition to reach this point, beating Salford City, Braintree Town, Barrow and Sutton – it is arguably the toughest run of any of the teams left in the competition. Sitting 3rd in National League North, you would expect a win for the visitors, but The Red and White have struggled away from home in the League with five wins, six draws and four losses, losing their last 3-0 to Blyth Spartans. Despite this, the visitors have won their last two League matches 3-0, typical for a side which has scored 54 in 30 League matches and conceded only 27. 12 of those goals have been scored from midfield by James Armson, while Aaron Williams has netted 17 times, so Stockport will do well to keep those two under wraps. Brackley lost out to York City at this stage last year and will be hoping to advance to the semis for the first time in their history.
Billericay Town vs Wealdstone @15:00
Anyone smell an upset? Billericay are the lowest ranked team left in the competition and have been firing on all cylinders in cup competitions this season, with an incredible record of success. In this competition alone, The Blues have come through six rounds and have overcome National League North high flyers Harrogate Town as well as National League South Hungerford and Havant & Waterlooville. The hosts are top of the Isthmian Premier, a point ahead of Margate with six games in hand and have only lost once at home in the League, winning 11 and drawing two. The hosts have, however, lost their last two games in the division, both away – uncharted territory for Glenn Tamplin’s side. Billericay are strong all over the pitch, demonstrated by scoring 76 in 28 League games, conceding only 26, but Jake Robinson may be the stand out, scoring 24 of those League goals plus a sizeable cup tally. A challenge then for visitors Wealdstone, who sit 12th in National League South. The 1985 winners have won only three times away in the League, drawing seven and losing four and have lost their last two 2-1 at home. On the face of it, they have had an easier route to the quarters, Chelmsford City being the highest ranked team The Stones have faced, but you can only play what is put in front of you and Wealdstone will be dangerous with newly signed Bradley Bubb in their ranks – the former Ebbsfleet United front man is eligible for this match and will be looking to add to over 200 goals in club competitions.
Leyton Orient vs Gateshead @15:00
Orient aren’t doing bad for a side who are enjoying their first year in this competition. They have certainly kept their fans on tenterhooks, the three previous rounds seeing The O’s beat Haringey Borough, Bognor Regis Town and Dover Athletic away, all by a single goal. The hosts are five without defeat in all competitions, following consecutive 1-0 away wins, and have pulled away from the drop zone, sitting 15th in the National League. A number of Orient’s new signings are unavailable with Dan Holman, Sam Ling and Nathan Mavila all ineligible, but Macauley Bonne will probably start, having scored 16 League goals this season. Gateshead are 13th, two points above the O’s, and Steve Watson’s side will be keen to match their 2-0 win at Brisbane Road back in October. The Heed only have one win in their last five League matches, and have only won four away games in the division, but they have only lost once in 11 away matches in all competitions and fought back with 10 men at Barrow on Tuesday to earn a point. The visitors continue their trend of only facing National League sides in this year’s competition, beating Guiseley, Boreham Wood and Maidstone in the previous rounds.
Bromley vs Spennymoor Town @15:00
Bromley are the furthest they have ever been in the FA Trophy and have been given a kinder route to the quarters, yet to have faced a side in the top tier of Non League. The Ravens are 8th in the National League, two points off the playoffs, but are three without a League win, albeit the last two were against Aldershot and Tranmere. The home side are prolific scorers, netting 56 in 34 League games, Louis Dennis scoring 14, Josh Rees 12. Their home record in the division reads seven wins, five draws and five losses. Spennymoor are also in uncharted territory, having beaten East Thurrock, Solihull Moors and Gainsborough Trinity to reach this stage. Glen Taylor has scored 15 in National League North as The Moors find themselves 7th, scoring 52 in their 27 League games. The visitors lost to Nuneaton Town last weekend and have won seven League away games, drawing three and losing four.
