Next stop, Preliminary Round a.k.a. 33 10s Still Alive
The Extra Preliminary Round matches began Aug. 16 and ran through the weekend. For the Level 10 teams, the path to the next round certainly isn't an easy one. There were 10 Level 10v10 matches, guaranteeing a trip to Preliminary Round Qualifying for at least 10 teams. There were 23 teams that advanced by beating Level 9s, quite impressive for some, including five which went to replays:
South Shields F.C. beat Colne 2-1 after a 1-1 draw
Bolehall Swifts topped Causeway United 4-0 after a 2-2 draw
Atherstone Town F.C. slid past Rocester 1-0 after a 3-3 draw
Arnold Town FC edged Stewarts & Lloyds Corby 2-1 after a 1-1 draw
Ipswich Wanderers F.C. blanked Wivenhoe Town 1-0 after a 0-0 draw
The other remaining Level 10s that beat Level 9s are: Whitton United, Littlehampton Town, Jarrow Roofing BCA, Formby, Shirebrook Town, AFC Emley, Atherton Collieries, Ellesmere Rangers, Lye Town, Black County Rangers, Blaby & Whetstone Athletic, Swaffham Town, Bodmin Town, Wells City, Petersfield Town, Corsham Town, Cowes Sports, and Eastbourne UA. The other Level 10s, who beat Level 10s, are: Whitehaven, Plymouth Parkway, Studley, Borrowash Victoria, St. Blazey, Shawbury United, Wolverhampton Casuals, Brocton, Northampton Spencer, and Crawley Town.
Etc...
Quite possibly the longest name in European football and perhaps the world, Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association, aka Jarrow Roofing BCA or The Roofers, are my top pick for Preliminary Round Qualifying. The Roofers play in the Albany Northern League (Division Two). The face Dunston UTS at home.
135 new teams enter the competition at this stage, no higher than Level 8 teams.
Two sides (Hucknall Town and Sidley United) were removed in the Extra Preliminary Round, leading to walkovers for Loughborough University and Erith Town.
Two teams scored nine goals each in the Extra Preliminary Round. Ashington beat Pontefract Collieries, 9-0, while Bristol Manor Farm thumped Oldland Abbotonians, 9-3.
My favorites of the early rounds, South Park FC, which advanced all the way to third round qualifying last year, beat Mole Valley SCR, 1-0, and will play at Level 8 side Guildford City.
Of the other three Level 10s to go far last year, only Badshot Lea remains alive and will face Hartley Wintney at home. Tadcaster Albion and Blackfield & Langley both lost last weekend.
Wembley, ah yes good ol' Wembley, opened this year's Cup with a 1-0 win over AFC Kempston Rovers on the road and next will play at Ware. Remember, last year, Wembely's Cup run ended in this coming round.
All Extra Preliminary Round winners received £1,500 for their club. Preliminary Round winners take home £1,925.
My sure picks for the underdogs of the Preliminary Round Qualifying are:
South Shields over Albion Sports
Boston Town over Dereham Town
Plymouth Parkway over Ilfracombe Town
South Park over Guildford City
Wembley over Ware
and I'm going out on a limb with this one:
Formby (Level 10) will beat Northwich Victoria (8). It's at home, which is a massive advantage for Formby. Northwich may have history on their side with their successful FA Cup years, but Formby will advance.
If you want to watch a quality match in person, head to Curzon Ashton vs. Ashton Athletic.