The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Qualifying
Player of the Round



Halesowen Town striker Matt Lewis is the first winner of The FA Cup Player of the Round Award, in partnership with E.ON after he polled 44% of the 12,839 votes cast by fans over the last seven days at TheFA.com.

Radio Five Live commentator Mark Clemmit nominated Matt and he beat five goal Hemel Hempstead striker George Sippets who came runner-up with 33% of the votes.

As well as winning an engraved silver salver and £500 of equipment to donate to a local school, Matt will be a VIP guest at The FA Cup Final on 19 May. Halesowen Town Manager Paul Holleran told TheFA.com how the initiative had galvanised the town and club supporters.

"Anybody who thinks The FA Cup has lost its magic should speak to people involved at this level of the game" said Paul. "As soon as a cup tie looms on the fixture list there is a whole different buzz around the club; in training, in the town and amongst the fans.

"Since Matt was nominated we've had everyone voting. Players, fans, families; even the local teachers have had their children voting online in their IT lessons!

“For a player of Matt's age to be a guest at an FA Cup Final, get to meet some stars of the game and to walk onto the pitch at half-time will unquestionably be the football highlight of his life" added Paul.

The paths of Manager and striker first crossed when Matt was a 15 year old striker at Solihull Borough. "The next thing I knew, Kidderminster Harriers offered him a three year contract" said Paul, "and then in 2003 he went from there to Hinckley United for £5,000.

"Matt is one of five or six talented young players that we have at this club, and his first goal of the four - a free-kick in our 4-2 away win at AFC Telford was worthy of David Beckham; it was that good. He has already scored nine goals this season.

"Clubs like ours are still 11 games away from the Final but a cup run can be invaluable. Some clubs this Saturday have already won three games, and earned prize money which probably exceeded their target at the beginning of the season.

“For others, the aim is to get through to the First Round Proper and take on a 'big fish' and really create some headlines".

This opportunity was cruelly denied to the club two years ago, when after battling through to the First Round Proper, Town drew Yeading. An agonising defeat to the Non-League side from West London ended Halesowen hopes, but the story didn't end there.

The next round, Yeading were drawn with Slough, another Non-League side and after victory, all eyes were on the Third Round draw, including those of Paul's.

"I was eating my lunch and then I saw it: Yeading v Newcastle United. I had food in my mouth and tears in my eyes. It really was a sense of 'what if'. "

Saturday's opponents Chasetown last season got to the First Round Proper, holding Oldham Athletic to a goalless draw in a BBC televised clash, before going down in the replay.

The game proved the catalyst for promotion, and with BBC Radio Five planning to send a reporter to The Grove this Saturday, in amongst the Premier League thrills and spills, who's to say that the events of the past week won't have a similar impact on another Midlands-based side.