THE BIG FA CUP FIRST ROUND PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

One of the most exciting days of the English domestic calendar, here goes my take on matches involving L1 clubs.

FRIDAY

HARRINGEY BOROUGH v AFC WIMBLEDON

Seventh tier Borough host the Dons in Friday’s BBC televised clash in what is the biggest game in the London clubs history. Borough are struggling in the Bostik League with only one victory at their Coles Park ground so far. Neal Ardley’s L1 strugglers will be grateful for any positive result right now & they will surely be too strong for the non-leaguers here.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

SATURDAY

 

MAIDENHEAD UNITED v PORTSMOUTH

The 4000 capacity York Road ground should be crammed to the rafters for the visit of high flying L1 Pompey. The National League Magpies are struggling & are in the relegation places having lost their last five games in the fifth tier. Pompey in contrast are looking unstoppable in their quest to gain promotion to the Championship & I expect boss Kenny Jackett to utilise his squad to give some fringe players game time but they have strength in depth & should have far too much for Maidenhead.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

ACCRINGTON STANLEY v COLCHESTER UNITED

An intriguing clash awaits at the Wham Stadium with both clubs exceeding pre season expectations in their respective divisions. John McGreal’s U’s are playing some nice stuff at the moment & look well placed for a L2 promotion push but Accy are a much stiffer test for them especially at the Wham. Home win all day long here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

ALDERSHOT TOWN v BRADFORD CITY

The beleaguered Bantams head to Hampshire in an awful run of form & their army of fans are not happy with the club both on AND off the field. Garry Waddock’s Shots look to have turned the corner somewhat & are in good form after a poor start to their National League season & will really fancy their chances of claiming an EFL scalp in this clash. I honestly think that City will come unstuck here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

BARNSLEY v NOTTS COUNTY

Another team who may well shuffle the pack squadwise are Barnsley with many of the players who played in their midweek Checkatrade trophy game set to keep their places in this clash with Harry Kewell’s struggling Pies. The Cup will be well down on both clubs list of priorities with the Tykes pushing for an immediate return to the second tier & the Pies struggling to stay in the EFL. Barnsley’s squad will have more quality for battling Notts.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

BROMLEY v PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Neil Smith’s Londoners welcome the fat controller & his high flying L1 Posh to Hayes Lane for this interesting tie. Bromley currently lie in mid table in the fifth tier & will be tough opposition but Posh aren’t the top goalscorers in the entire EFL for nothing & should win this at a canter.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

EXETER CITY v BLACKPOOL

Another clash between two teams that are doing well in their respective divisions at the improving St James Park which is looking excellent after the recent ground improvements. Pools excellent defensive record will be severely tested by the free scoring Grecians with striker Jayden Stockley in particularly good form & the excellent Nicky Law pulling the strings from midfield. The Tangerines look strong in all positions though & are good enough to force a replay.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

 

LUTON TOWN v WYCOMBE WANDERERS

This all L1 encounter looks an interesting tie with Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys enjoying their best run of form since returning to the 3rd tier. The Hatters are looking invincible at Kenilworth Road however & a lot depends on how much Nathan Jones wants a Cup run & whether he thinks it might hamper his teams promotion prospects. Narrow Luton win.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

OXFORD UNITED v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

On paper one of the most difficult ties of the round to predict with Oxford struggling in L1 & FGR doing well in the League below. Both teams will be looking for a morale boosting victory to kickstart their league ambition but I think it may take a replay to sort these teams out.
PREDICTION NO SCORE DRAW

 

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE v STEVENAGE

Another L1 v L2 clash at Home Park this weekend. Derek Adams Argyle have hinted at a recovery from their early season struggles with some encouraging results & displays of late & they were very unlucky to lose 2-0 to a very strong Sunderland side at the weekend. Boro are in decent nick themselves in L2 & are well placed for a play off push in the second half of the season & will provide Argyle with a tough test but for me it’s Argyle to progress.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

ROCHDALE v GATESHEAD

The Heed head to Spotland in reasonable nick lying in 8th place in the NL just outside the play off places despite losing their last couple in the League. Keith Hill’s Dale side have recently started to repair their worrying home form with 4 points gained in their last two league games against promotion chasing Charlton & Luton & should be too strong for the non-league side here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

SCUNTHORPE UNITED v BURTON ALBION

The Brewers head to Glanford Park eager to replicate their heroic Carabao Cup form in the other major domestic competition. They’ll fancy their chances too against Stuart McCall’s Iron side who despite coming back from 3-0 down v Oxford to draw last weekend are in pretty poor form of late. This looks like a replay though as Scunny are no mugs at home.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

 

SOUTHEND UNITED v CRAWLEY TOWN

Yet another L1 v L2 clash with theL1 team at home. The Shrimpers are a good side when everything comes together & in Simon Cox have a wily experienced striker who will always score goals. Mid table Crawley are also in an inconsistent run in L2 & they don’t seem to travel well so I’m tipping Sarfend for round 2.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

GILLINGHAM v HARTLEPOOL UNITED

The Monkey Hangers make the enormous trip down to Kent to face the inconsistent Gills at Priestfield. 15th place Pool are equally inconsistent in the National League & won’t be going into this tie with any degree of confidence after losing 4-0 at Bromley in their last league game. Gills don’t have trouble scoring lately & should take this comfortably.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

WALSALL v COVENTRY CITY

A big crowd is expected for this West Midlands derby at the Banks. The Sky Blues are on a purple patch in the league lately & i’m sure Cov fans are starting to dream about the possibility of back to back promotions. Dean Keates has a tough task halting his Saddlers team’s fortunes after hitting a rather alarming recent slide after looking play-off contenders for much of the early part of the season.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

BURY v DOVER

Ryan Lowe takes his charges into this one on the back of some excellent performances in League Two. They face a Dover side that have been really struggling this season. They sit bottom of the National League with just 11 points from their first 19 games. If the Shakers are on their game then they could have a field day.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

CREWE v CARLISE

An all League Two clash in this one and for both side the FA Cup will act as a welcome distraction from average campaigns so far. Crewe like to play a very quick passing game but struggle to find a cutting edge. The Cumbrians are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. Think they might edge this one however.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

EBBSFLEET v CHELTENHAM

The boys from Gravesend have yet again hit financial problems this season but are not doing as badly in the National League as you might imagine, currently sitting in 15th. Cheltenham need to win this one if only to get some confidence back. I think they have enough to do it.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

GRIMSBY v MILTON KEYNES

The Mariners are still struggling to find a cutting edge something MK have found in recent weeks. They Buckinghamshire outfit have put in some impressive performances with goals starting to flow. Grimsby may need League Two Player of the Month James McKeown to be at his award winning best in this one.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

HAMPTON & RICHMOND v OLDHAM

The Latics should have beaten Notts County in their last game but were extremely unlucky. They should pick up the win here though many of their fans fear the banana skin match up they have been handed. This is only the third time in their history that the home side have reached the First Round and they will be relishing the chance to take a league scalp.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

LINCOLN v NORTHAMPTON

Another clash of the League Two in form sides with the Imps sitting top and the Cobblers rejuvenated under keith Curle. Lincoln’s success in this competition two seasons ago changed the way the club were perceived by many and that it a great example of what the FA Cup can do. I think, despite Northampton’s good form, the home side will come through.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

MAIDSTONE v MACCLESFIELD

The Kent outfit returned home after a long absence and now play on an all weather pitch that has helped make them sustainable. They beat Cheltenham last season and will be hoping they can take another league scalp in this one when they face the struggling Silkmen. I am going for a mini upset in this one.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

MET POLICE v NEWPORT

The Exiles face a team that used to only employ those that were part of the police service though that is no longer the case. It would be a huge ask for the London outfit to beat County but this is why we love the cup so much. I am backing Michael Flynn’s side to get the job done on what should be a classic cup occasion.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

MORECAMBE v HALIFAX

The Shrimps take on the Shaymen in this one with Jim Bentley’s side hoping to avoid defeat as they look to improve a record of just two FA Cup First Round wins in their last nine. Halifax are 16th in the Conference and will fancy their chances in this one but need to try and be more clinical having averaged a goal a game in the league this season. I sense a replay here.

PREDICTION DRAW

 

SWINDON TOWN v YORK CITY

York City….whatever happened to them? The Minster Men have face a really difficult few years and got rid of manager Martin Gray very early on this season. They sit 15th in the National League North – a very poor effort considering their lofty pre-season ambitions. Swindon will have to be professional and avoid the defensive lapses that have summed up their season but they have more than enough to triumph here.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

TRANMERE v OXFORD CITY

Rovers are playing their best football for years. Micky Mellon has got them playing very well especially at home so City should really look at this as a fun day out even though they tend to up their game in the cup. Tranmere have won 11 consecutive games against non-league opposition in the FA Cup proper and I fully expect them to make it 12.

PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

YEOVIL TOWN v STOCKPORT

There was a time when the Hatters were several divisions above the Glovers but time has not been kind to Stockport. They are trying to build sustainably and sit two points outside the play-off places in the National League North having to constantly deal with the loss of their best players. Yeovil have not been good at home this season but and I think they might need two bites at the cherry to get through here.

PREDICTION DRAW

 

SUNDAY

 

ALFRETON TOWN v FLEETWOOD TOWN

Joey Barton takes his Cod Army to mid table NL North side’s tiny North Street ground for this Sunday lunchtime tie. Fleetwood currently lie in mid table & Barton has made a reasonable start to his fledgling managerial career. Part timers Town will obviously be keen to take an EFL scalp & will battle & I think this could go to a replay.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

 

BARNET v BRISTOL ROVERS

The Gas travel to the Capital for this clash at the Hive, the home of mid table NL Barnet who have not found life easy after their relegation from L2 at the end of last season. Darrell Clarkes side are going OK at the moment in their attempt at dragging themselves away from L1’s drop zone but they have still plenty to do to feel safe but a FA Cup victory here will help with confidence & belief.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

CHORLEY v DONCASTER ROVERS

The NL North leaders welcome Donny to their compact Victory Park ground looking to cause an upset. Chorley’s league form has dipped somewhat since the draw was made but still lead the way in their league.
Rovers seem to have lost their way of late in their quest for Championship football but with players like Coppinger & Marquis they are capable of giving anyone a tough game but it may take a replay here.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

MANSFIELD TOWN v CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Lee Bowyer takes his promotion chasing Addicks to Field Mill to face a strong Stags team who have only lost ONE L2 game all season although they’ve drawn plenty. I don’t think a trip up to North Nottinghamshire on a Sunday lunchtime would have been high on Charlton’s wishlist especially against a side that boasts strikers in form Danny Rose & Tyler Walker. Surprise home win.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

SHREWSBURY TOWN v SALFORD CITY

John Askey’s improving Shrews come up against non-league moneybags side Salford in what looks like a potential shock. I’m sure the Shrews have bigger fish to fry than the Cup such as improving their precarious league position but they’ll be keen not to slip up against the NL promotion favourites even if they are the Manchester City of non league. The Ammies to find out what the EFL is all about.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

 

PORT VALE v SUNDERLAND

Neil Aspin’s Vale side will have it all to do in this tie with the high flying Mackems who’s promotion back to the 2nd tier looks just a matter of time.
It should be a reminder of better times at Vale Park with a rare full house & the atmosphere could well motivate Vale to a money spinning replay.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

 

GUISELEY v CAMBRIDGE

The lack of a striker has seemingly held the U’s back this season though they are playing some excellent football. I would expect them to have enough to overcome Guiseley who have never won an FA Cup First Round match in 90 minutes but did reach the second round last season by beating Accrington on pens.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

 

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 roving reporter (follow Ian on twitter @MillMoor1)