48 clubs from the North and South Divisions of the National League enter the FA Cup alongside 112 other clubs from Steps 3 to 5 that have earned their place in this 2nd Qualifying Round.
There are four ties that involve clubs from Step 5 facing National League sides. Northern League Ashington FC and Midland Football League Lichfield City host Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC and Boston United respectively. Lowest ranked club Fisher FC from Southern Counties East League and Wessex League side Laverstock and Ford have the more daunting tasks of away trips to Welling United and Taunton Town respectively.
There are 16 clubs from Step 5 still in this season’s FA Cup and they, along with 19 of the Step 4 clubs still standing, started their campaigns this season in the Extra Preliminary Round. Walton and Hersham versus Chatham Town ensures at least one club from that list will still be involved in the Q3 Round.
28 ties involve clubs that have met in the FA Cup before with Hyde United versus Warrington Town the most common, having been drawn together in the FA Cup for the fifth time. Hyde United are ahead in previous meetings by three wins to one.
Spennymoor Town have the highest incentive to avenge a past FA Cup defeat against their opponents in this round having lost 8-2 to Clitheroe FC the last time they met in the competition 15 years ago.
Bury AFC and Shefford Town and Campton are the last two remaining debut clubs in this year’s FA Cup and both have tough away ties at seasoned FA Cup campaigners Lancaster City and Grays Athletic respectively.
These debutants are two of 11 clubs that are appearing in the Q2 Round for the first time. Westfield FC with 20 campaigns and Shepton Mallet with 19 are the two clubs that have waited the longest to make it this far in the competition. Shepton Mallet have now equalled the achievement of their predecessor club Shepton Mallet Town.
Hanley Town versus Atherstone Town Community Club, Waltham Abbey against Brightlingsea Regent, and Phoenix Sports versus Sevenoaks Town are three ties where the winner will at least equal or set their best FA Cup run this season.
Waltham Abbey are the current top scoring club of those still in the FA Cup with 14 goals in all, two ahead of AFC Totton, Anstey Nomads, Long Eaton United, Romford FC and Walton and Hersham.
Sheringham FC are competing in the FA Cup for the first time in 61 years and matched their best run in the competition when winning 1-0 at Lowestoft Town, a club that had beaten them eight times out of eight in past FA Cup meetings.
FA Cup Factfile 