NPL West sides feature strongly in first qualifying round ties
Clearly our main focus will be on our weekend opponents Long Eaton United but there are plenty of other Northern Premier League West teams looking to earn a place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Of our eight fellow NPL West teams in action, only two of them have been drawn at home and one of those, Witton Albion, will face off against another NPL West team in City of Liverpool.
Mossley are the other NPL West side to have been handed a home draw in the first qualifying round, but it’s a toughie. They host NPL Premier Division Whitby Town. Still if they can grab a draw, a trip to the lovely North East Yorkshire coast isn’t such a bad way to pass the time for a midweek replay…
Of those that have been drawn away, league leaders Hednesford Town will certainly fancy their chances of progressing at United Counties Premier Division North side Melton Town and equally Wythenshawe Town will be favourites to progress at Whitchurch Alport of the Midland League Premier Division.
Our local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic travel to Leicestershire to take on Barwell of the Southern League Premier Division Central. Barwell only won their first league game on Bank Holiday Monday, so Kidsgrove will be confident of getting a result.
Also travelling to face Southern League Premier Division Central opposition will be Stafford Rangers. Stafford have a tough task as they have been drawn with a big non-league team from a bygone era – Kettering Town.
Finally, Widnes probably have the longest journey of all the sides in our division playing in the FA Cup this weekend. They will travel to Teeside to face NPL Premier Division Stockton Town, who have made a bright start to the season, winning five of their six matches.
Widnes have made a very solid start to the season themselves with just the one defeat so far, but this will undoubtedly be their toughest test yet.
It promises to be an exciting day of cup action across the country – let’s hope some of the NPL West sides in action today are able to progress.
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