The second round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup takes place this weekend, with 80 ties on the way on Saturday 13 September.
Ahead of the action, here are five things to look out for across the competition.
Famous faces
For the first time in the club’s history, Croydon Athletic will compete in the second round qualifying, beating Sittingbourne 2-1 last time out in the FA Cup, courtesy of Reece Grant’s 88th minute 35-yard screamer which sealed passage to the next stage where they will take on Hampton & Richmond Borough.
It was a historic moment for @CroydonAth when they beat Sittingbourne 2-1 in the #EmiratesFACup first round qualifying, securing the Rams’ place in the second round qualifying for the first time in the club’s history 🙌
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) September 9, 2025
The club, who are backed by Stormzy and former Crystal… pic.twitter.com/GtMgdC1uyS
But do you know who the Rams’ owners are? Only rapper, singer and songwriter Stormzy and former Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff City star Wilfried Zaha. The pair, who took over the club in the summer of 2023, led Croydon to promotion in their first season, too, winning the play-offs to ascend to the Isthmian League South East Division.
Late drama
Winners of the 2024-25 Isuzu FA Vase, Whitstable Town’s cup run goes on after knocking out Dulwich Hamlet in the first round qualifying in dramatic fashion. Whitstable – who tasted victory at Wembley earlier this year, overcoming AFC Whyteleafe under the arch – had to come from 2-0 down against Dulwich.
With the last kick of the game, the club secured their place in the second round qualifying with a last-gasp 3-2 win. And this reward is a tie against Chichester City this weekend, with Whitstable looking to go one better.
FA Cup specialists
FA Cup fever is very much felt by Marine AFC, who enter the competition in the second round qualifying along with other National League North and South sides. The club famously reached the third round proper of the competition back in 2020-21 when they hosted Tottenham Hotspur, who sat 160 places above Marine in the league standings.
The Mariners face Newcastle Blue Star – one of the few ninth tier clubs remaining – this weekend, making the trip to Scotswood, home of the Star, to kick off this season’s journey.
Goals galore
The FA Cup’s all-time leading goalscorers are back in action this weekend against Quorn. Kettering Town – who have managed 927 goals in total across their history in the competition – will be looking to add to their tally which increased by four in the first round qualifying as they beat Long Eaton United 4-1 to book their place in the second round qualifying.
The all-time leading goalscorers of the #EmiratesFACup, @KTFCOfficial added to their goals tally at the weekend with four scored away from home against Long Eaton United ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/B8JcHA0iJy
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) September 2, 2025
And the Poppies, who played their first-ever FA Cup tie on 6 October 1888 against Newark, were visited by the famous trophy last season ahead of their second round proper clash against Doncaster Rovers at Latimer Park.
Rivalries reignited
There’s a local derby on the cards in the second round qualifying which sees Enfield FC lock horns with Enfield Town at Enfield FC’s Hertingfordbury Park. Enfield FC – also known as the E’s – were formed over 130 years ago and currently ply their trade in the Southern League Division One Central.
Meanwhile, Enfield Town – also known as the Towners – are members of the National League South, having been founded back in 2001. But who will come out on top and make it through to the third round qualifying?
