FA Cup 1st Round Preview

It’s November so you’ve almost certainly seen Ronnie Radford’s stunning equaliser in the replay at least once. This time of year recaptures the imagination of Hereford fans who know it’s possible to get past one of the ‘big boys’.

The National League North side welcome League One side and former winners Portsmouth to Edgar Street in front of the BBC cameras on Friday night.

The Cowleys are no strangers to FA Cup heroics, after their time at Lincoln City, and Pompey won the competition as recently as 2008.

Hereford have lost just once at home this season with three wins in their last four, sitting just outside of the play-off places. Tyrone Barnett has six league goals in this campaign and his Football League experience could prove vital.

Kevin Phillips’ South Shields welcome League One opposition to Jarrow for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off live on the box.

The Northern Premier League side narrowly missed out on promotion last season and find themselves back in the early mix again this time around, sitting just two points off the summit.

Forest Green have struggled to adapt to life since promotion and will have one eye on returning to league action which could open the door for the Mariners who are unbeaten at home.

Derby County make the trip to Devon on Sunday afternoon to take on Torquay United at Plainmoor.

This could prove a welcome distraction for the Gulls as Gary Johnson’s side find themselves languishing at the foot of the National League table whilst Derby’s priorities will likely lie with pushing on towards promotion back to the Championship.

The Rams have bowed out after one game in the FA Cup in each of the last two season and haven’t featured in the early rounds of the FA Cup since 1984-85.

Monday night is all about Bracknell Town who entertain former First Division, FA Cup and UEFA Cup winners to Berkshire in the form of the Tractor Boys.

Bracknell’s FA Cup dream began back in September – winning four games already including one replay. The free-scoring non-league side have scored 17 goals in their last three games in all competitions and could certainly pose a threat if opportunity presents itself in front of goal.

Even forcing a replay and a trip to Portman Road is enough motivation for the Robins.

Coalville Town are playing in the proper rounds of the FA Cup for only the second time in their history, with their only other appearance coming in 2004/05 when they lost out to Wycombe Wanderers.

The Leicestershire-based outfit pulled out arguably the pick of the ties, being rewarded with a trip to the 27,000+ capacity, The Valley.

They’ve got a decent record on their travels so far this season winning five of their six league games to elevate them to fifth in the Southern League Premier Division Central table.

Could it be a Hollywood script for the north Wales side or will the Latics prevail?

It’s been a rollercoaster ride in Wrexham in recent times; famous owners, narrowly missing out on promotion and now the chance to relive former glories in a tournament they already have plenty of history in.

A slightly different story for Oldham, however, who dropped into the National League after a 116-year stay in the Football League came to end last season. Life has also been pretty since relegation, but the FA Cup gives any side the chance to use it as a springboard for the remainder of the their campaign.

Either way, a guaranteed non-league side in the hat for round two.