FA Cup qualifying dominates a busy midweek programme
The Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round provides the backbone of this week's programme, with a string of ties confirmed for Saturday 19 September. Dorchester Town host Oxford City at The Avenue, Stafford Rangers welcome Hereford FC to the Stan Robinson Stadium with more than 2,000 tickets already sold, and Walton & Hersham face Horsham FC at home. Dartford will host Hayes & Yeading United at Princes Park, a fixture that has forced a postponement of Whitehawk's league trip there, while Cirencester Town entertain Farnham Town at the Talent Hire Stadium and Slimbridge take on Hungerford Town at Thornhill Park. Waltham Abbey face Dagenham & Redbridge, Snodland Town meet Sheppey United, Alvechurch host RCWFC at Lye Meadow, Gorleston welcome Bury Town to The Wellesley, and Tiverton Town take on Sholing at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium. Ebbsfleet United begin their campaign away at Maidenhead United, Cray Wanderers host Maidstone United, and Berkhamsted host Hendon at Glencar Community Stadium.
Results before the weekend gave an early flavour of cup form. Burgess Hill Town progressed past Jersey Bulls in a replay, with summer signing Charlie Lambert speaking about the win. In the FA Vase, Dunstable beat Hilltop FC 5-1, and Romsey Town beat Bournemouth Poppies 2-1 through a Woodward double. The First Round draw sent Retford United away to Northwich Victoria, that fixture moved to a Sunday because of Northwich's groundshare with Runcorn Linnets.
The FA Youth Cup produced heavy scorelines in places: Cobham won 9-1 against Pagham's under-18s, Ilkeston Town's Young Robins won 3-1 at Lincoln United, and Nantwich Town's under-18s beat Stafford Rangers' under-18s 6-2. Chester won 3-0 at Radcliffe, and AFC Telford United's under-18s edged Hereford Pegasus 2-1.
