FA Cup first-round ties and Vase draws dominate non-league midweek

Cray Wanderers will host Stockport County in the Emirates FA Cup First Round at Flamingo Park on Sunday 8 November (2:15pm kick-off), with the club reporting the tie sold out within five minutes of general sale opening. Marine travel to Bradford City on Saturday 7 November with more than 800 tickets sold, AFC Rushden & Diamonds are away at Burton Albion the same day, and Berkhamsted play Plymouth Parkway at Bolitho Park on Monday 9 November. Parkway's tie is sold out, with Berkhamsted receiving an allocation. Macclesfield have 1,000 tickets for their trip to Mansfield Town, though the club said sales were delayed.

In the FA Trophy, Workington beat Cleethorpes Town 3-2 in a delayed first-round tie, Luke Hunter scoring a hat-trick, and will visit Ashton United on Saturday 14 November. Folkestone Invicta host Cray Wanderers in the same round on that date, and Dorking Wanderers travel to Dagenham & Redbridge. The Trophy is already reshaping league calendars: Hyde United's fixture with Workington has been postponed, as has Malvern Town's home game with Chichester City, and Ashton United's league match against Bury moves to Tuesday 15 December.

The FA Vase second round is on Saturday 31 October. Among the ties, Portishead Town host Clevedon Town, Bishop Auckland welcome Atherton LR, Honiton Town face Devizes Town, and West Didsbury & Chorlton host Prestwich Heys.

In midweek National League South action, Dorking Wanderers drew 3-3 with Hemel Hempstead Town thanks to an 89th-minute equaliser. Faversham Town won 1-0 at Margate through Henry Sinai's header to move up to third, and Uxbridge went top of the Southern League Premier Division South with a 2-0 win at Basingstoke Town. Leatherhead lost 1-0 at Welling United, their first away league defeat since 9 April 2025. Dover Athletic's eight-match unbeaten run ended with a 1-0 home loss to Chelmsford City, Harry Barbrook scoring in the 42nd minute. Morecambe beat Darlington 1-0 through a late Teddy Collis goal for a sixth straight home win, and Halesowen Town won 3-2 at home to Leamington, Jason Cowley scoring twice including a stoppage-time winner.

Further down, Portishead Town won 11-2 at Brislington, and Frome Town beat Welton Rovers 11-0. Guiseley won 4-0 at Steeton in the West Riding County Cup, with academy players Ibby Origbaajo, Dan Brookes and Will Buttle making senior debuts.

Off the pitch, Warrington Town are inviting schoolchildren to design their 2027/28 away kit, with more than 30 primary schools opted in, and Spennymoor Town have agreed sponsorship from Durham County Council through the 'Foster with North East' grant.