FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round

There were actually four Essex Senior League teams placed in the velvet bag earlier this week when the FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round was drawn. Sporting Bengal United came out with Brentwood Town on Monday when the draw was made, they finally settled their affair on Wednesday evening, with Brentwood Town’s 3-1 win meaning that they will now host Bostik Premier outfit Haringey Borough on Saturday 8^th September. Three ESL teams were in the draw outright having won their games last Saturday. Saffron Walden Town beat fellow ESL side Hoddesdon Town 4-1 in the Preliminary Round and they were given another home tie. St Ives Town, currently sitting 3^rd in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Central provide the opposition. Walthamstow had to earn their 1^st Qualifying Round place after coming through an away tie at Felixstowe & Walton United. That 1-0 away win has been rewarded with a home tie against Beaconsfield Town from the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South. Takeley currently top the Essex Senior League and visit former ESL foes Bowers & Pitsea. Rob Small led Bowers to ESL glory in 2015/16 and will be favourites for this one.

Coggeshall Town and Witham Town probably will have had enough of each other by the time their replay, scheduled for next week has been settled. The original game ended a goalless draw, they then met on Bostik North business on Monday 27^th, and that 2-0 Coggeshall win does add some extra spice to next week’s replay with Berkhamsted drawn away to the eventual winners. Basildon United know that they will be hosting at their Ho Ho Stadium, either Stamford or Peterborough Sports will be excepting the invite in due course. And just down the road Great Wakering Rovers find themselves in the same boat as they await either Northampton Silesby Rovers or Wisbech Town to sort out who will be travelling to Burroughs Park.

Heybridge Swifts went as far as the 1^st Round last season. They started on another Cup trail in the Preliminary Round that ended West Essex’s interest. Now another Step 5 team will pay a visit to Scraley Road as Newmarket Town, who ply their trade in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division take on Jody Brown’s men. There is no doubt Swifts will want another taste of Cup glory – but Newmarket will be thinking the same thing and have nothing to lose as they will be the underdog going into this one.

Harlow Town will have to put aside their current league form, that sees them currently propping up the Bostik Premier Division table, when they travel to Hendon. Brightlingsea Regent also sit near the bottom of the Bostik Premier and they also have to hit the road as they are away to Cambridge City. AFC Hornchurch entertain Harrow Borough, while Romford face off against Kettering Town.

FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round Draw – Involving Essex Clubs

AFC Hornchurch v  Harrow Borough

Bowers & Pitsea v  Takeley

Brentwood Town v  Haringey Borough

Cambridge City v Brightlingsea Regent

Coggeshall Town/Witham Town v  Berkhamsted

Great Wakering Rovers v  Northampton Silesby Rovers/Wisbech Town

Heybridge Swifts v  Newmarket Town

Hendon v  Harlow Town

Romford v  Kettering Town

Saffron Walden Town v  St Ives Town

Walthamstow v  Beaconsfield Town