FA Cup preview A-N

Underdogs plot giant killings in the first round

Last updated: 6th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA Cup preview A-N

Ince: Wants to avoid an upset

Click below for individual match previews and facts:

Friday:

Bristol Rovers v S'hampton
Huddersfield v Dag & Red
Notts County v Bradford

Saturday:

AFC Telford v Lincoln City
Accrington v Salisbury
Aldershot v Bury
Barnet v Darlington
Barrow v Eastleigh
Cambridge Utd v Ilkeston Town
Carlisle v Morecambe
Chesterfield v Bournemouth
Forest Green v Mansfield
Gateshead v Brentford
Gillingham v Southend
Grimsby v Bath City
Hartlepool v Kettering
Hereford v Sutton Utd
Huddersfield v Dag & Red
Luton v Rochdale
MK Dons v Macclesfield
Northampton v Fleetwood Town
Nuneaton v Exeter

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Football League clubs enter the first round of the FA Cup, the oldest knockout competition in the world, on Friday and Saturday.

Inevitable lines regarding the magic of the cup will be trotted out as a number of non league sides aim to upset opponents from above in the football pyramid.

In times of recession, advancing to the third round and securing potential money-spinning tie with a Premier League team will be among clubs' aims.

But the grandeur of the cup will be the main motivational factor and supposed minnows will hold optimistic dreams of Wembley as kick-offs approach.

Milton Keynes Dons boss Paul Ince's high-flying League One outfit face will be confident when they host League Two strugglers Macclesfield.

Colchester also harbour aspiration towards promotion to the Championship, but those thoughts will be put on hold when they travel for a lunchtime kick-off at Conference South side Bromley.

League One rivals Gillingham and Southend meet at the Priestfield Stadium, with the home side aiming for revenge after a recent league defeat.

Hartlepool take on Conference North team Kettering at Victoria Park where a potential shock result could be on the cards.

League Two strugglers Morecambe make the journey up the North East coast to take on Carlisle, who will expect to progress to the second round.

Brentford make the long journey north as they take on 20th-placed Conference team Gateshead.

Paul Tisdale's Exeter visit Liberty Way to cross swords with non-league opposition in the shape of Nuneaton.

League Two table-toppers Bournemouth were stunned by a home thrashing against Rochdale in their last outing and Eddie Howe will want to avoid a repeat at third tier foes Chesterfield.

Rochdale will therefore aim to remain on a high when they visit freshly-relegated Conference side Luton Town.

Barnet will aim to pile more misery on Steve Staunton's Darlington, who have endured a wretched season and sit bottom of the Football League.

Closely-matched league rivals Aldershot and Bury do battle at the EBB Stadium on Saturday for the second time in three weeks.

Accrington Stanley and Salisbury meet, AFC Telford and Lincoln City also battle and Barrow and Eastleigh aim to progress.

Cambridge United host Ilkeston Town, Mansfield travel to Forest Green, Grimsby welcome Bath City, and Hereford and Northampton take on Sutton United and Fleetwood Town, respectively.

On Friday night, Bristol Rovers face 2003 finalists Southampton, Huddersfield journey south to Dagenham & Redbridge, and ambitious Notts County play Bradford.

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