The Emirates FA Cup enters the first round qualifying stage this weekend, with 111 ties scheduled to take place between Friday 29 and Sunday 31 August.
Following the extra preliminary round at the start of the month and the preliminary round two weeks ago, there will be 222 teams looking to advance and keep their FA Cup dreams alive.
Winning teams this weekend will also pocket £2250 from the competition prize fund with £750 for the teams who lose.
Ahead of the weekend, here’s five things to look out for from this year’s ties.
Remember, if you want to watch an Emirates FA Cup game and support a team local to you this weekend, use our Fixture Finder Map to see who's playing when and where.
Friday night lights
The first round qualifying kicks-off with three ties on Friday evening. Aveley will host Hashtag United, while Faversham Town play Hastings United (both 7.45pm) and Pickering Town take on Redcar Athletic (8pm).
Cup fever in Cleethorpes?
Cleethorpes Town will be hoping to take inspiration from the exploits of their neighbours Grimsby Town on Saturday when they travel to play Carlton Town, just three days on from the Mariners’ stunning Carabao Cup giantkilling against Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Cup numbers bolstered
There will be 88 clubs making their first appearance in this season’s FA Cup at this stage, with those teams from Step 3 of the FA National League System kicking-off their campaign this weekend. Included in those are the likes of Dulwich Hamlet, FC United of Manchester, Hashtag United and Kettering Town. You can see all of the exemptions for this season’s competition here. Abbey Hulton United, AFC Whyteleafe, Hackney Wick, Wombwell Town and Wythenshawe FC will all be playing in the first round qualifying for the first time ever.
Bragging rights at stake in the 'flat cap derby'
There’s a big tie in Lancashire as Atherton Laburnum Rovers (LR) host their town rivals Atherton Collieries on Saturday in what’s referred to as the ‘flat cap derby’. LR play their football in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division, while Collieries compete in the Northern Premier Division West. LR have enjoyed wins over Osset United in the extra preliminary round and FC St Helens in the preliminary round without conceding a goal so far, while Collieries will be making their first appearance in the FA Cup this season having had a walkover in the preliminary round following the withdrawal of Farsley Celtic. But who will advance to the next stage to take the bragging rights for this season? Find out on Saturday, as this will be our featured game on TheFA.com
Cup draw on Monday
The draw for the second round qualifying will be made on Monday 1 September following the conclusion of the weekend’s ties and released at 1pm via TheFA.com and our social media channels.
