Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Brentwood Town needed a replay to overcome Sporting Bengal United in the last round. Having had a struggle to get rid of their Essex Senior League rivals, the Blues now host Bostik Premier outfit Haringey Borough. The visitors were Bostik North playoff winners last term and therefore may go into the game as slight favourites, although League form suggests it may be a lot tighter. Three ESL teams are involved on Saturday, Saffron Walden Town beat fellow ESL side Hoddesdon Town 4-1 in the Preliminary Round they now have a home tie with St Ives Town. The visitors currently sit 8th in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Central but Saffron Walden could have a bumper crowd cheering them on and with Charlie Portway currently scoring on a regular basis means they are capable of pulling off a shock. Walthamstow had to earn their 1st 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. The visitors sit near the bottom end of the table which does provide Walthamstow some hope as they are not playing a club currently in form. Takeley currently top the Essex Senior League and visit former ESL foes Bowers & Pitsea. Rob Small led Bowers to ESL glory in 2015/16, have since gone on to establish themselves in the Bostik North and currently sit in a playoff position. The game takes place at Aveley’s Parkside Stadium, the 4g pitch allowing both these teams to play the passing attacking football that both are capable of playing. Bowers are the favourites but Takeley are able to spring a surprise .
Having beaten Witham Town on League business, the Seed Growers were then able to beat the same opponents in their replayed Preliminary Round tie 3-1 and now take on Berkhamsted. Basildon United host Peterborough Sports; and just down the road Great Wakering Rovers entertain Wisbech Town. The visitors on counts needed to come through replays before booking their trips into Essex and both now take on teams that play at a higher level which tips it in favour for the Essex teams.
Heybridge Swifts went as far as the 1st 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 hovering just above the Bostik Premier Division trapdoor, 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 on Sunday.
Saturday 8th September
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
AFC Hornchurch v Harrow Borough
Basildon United v Peterborough Sports
Bowers & Pitsea v Takeley
Brentwood Town v Haringey Borough
Cambridge City v Brightlingsea Regent
Coggeshall Town v Berkhamsted
Great Wakering Rovers v Wisbech Town
Hendon v Harlow Town
Heybridge Swifts v Newmarket Town
Romford v Kettering Town (Sunday 9th September)
Saffron Walden Town v St Ives Town
Walthamstow v Beaconsfield Town
