The draw for the first round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup took place on Monday lunchtime and there were some interesting match-ups for our member clubs.
None more so than for Pitching In Southern League Division One Central high-flyers, Leighton Town.
Sitting pretty at the top of the table with two wins out of two, they have also progressed in the FA Cup following a 3-1 victory over Biggleswade United on Saturday to set up a mouth-watering trip to Isthmian League Premier Division Brentwood Town.
“It will be good to test ourselves against opponents from the level above,” said Pap Lamin Jawara, who was amongst the goals on Saturday, as he found out the draw. “We’ve started the season strongly despite having a number of players missing through injury, but it shows the strength of the squad that we have here this year.
“To face a Step 3 team, who themselves have started the season well, will be a good gauge for us.
“Looking back at Saturday’s win, it was a well-contested game, but our extra quality shone through in the end.
“We managed to see the game out in the second half with a professional performance. I was pleased with how I started the game, helping us gain control and then making way for some fresh legs midway through the second period.
“The FA Cup is a magical competition, one that I, like many players, have followed since I was very young. I have witnessed some great moments in it as a fan over the years, so it is always nice to be involved as a player and to now have an FA Cup goal to my name makes it extra special.”
As one of the fancied teams this season, Jawara knows that a competitive campaign lies ahead.
“There’s going to be plenty of competition for the promotion and play-off places,” he continued. “There are a lot of teams hungry to battle it out for a place in Step 3, including ourselves, so it’s going to be quite a battle and one that I’m really looking forward to.
“As a group, our aim is to win the League and also enjoy an adventure in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. Hopefully I can help us achieve these objectives.”
Here is how the Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying draw went for our member clubs:
REDDITCH UNITED v SKEGNESS TOWN or LINCOLN UNITED
HANLEY TOWN v STOURBRIDGE
HARBOROUGH TOWN v LEEK TOWN
EVESHAM UNITED v BROMSGROVE SPORTING
ALVECHURCH v BARWELL
LONG EATON UNITED v KETTERING TOWN
HALESOWEN TOWN v STRATFORD TOWN
QUORN v SHERWOOD COLLIERY
ILKESTON TOWN v SPALDING UNITED
WORCESTER CITY v CHASETOWN
STAMFORD v COVENTRY SPHINX
BRENTWOOD TOWN v LEIGHTON TOWN
ENFIELD v WARE or ILFORD
CHESHUNT v LEISTON
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS or REDBRIDGE v ROYSTON TOWN
REAL BEDFORD v BISHOP’S STORTFORD
BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT v BURY TOWN
BILLERICAY TOWN v BARTON ROVERS
POTTERS BAR TOWN v HITCHIN TOWN or GRAYS ATHLETIC
BERKHAMSTED v ST IVES TOWN
TAKELEY or BOWERS & PITSEA v HERTFORD TOWN
AFC SUDBURY v MILDENHALL TOWN
HAVERHILL ROVERS v WELWYN GARDEN CITY or WALTHAM ABBEY
NEEDHAM MARKET v TILBURY
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE v CHICHESTER CITY
BRACKNELL TOWN v DARTFORD
CHERTSEY TOWN v THAME UNITED
CRAY WANDERERS v HANWELL TOWN
UXBRIDGE v WELLING UNITED
ERITH TOWN or SOUTHALL v FARNHAM TOWN
THREE BRIDGES v WALTON & HERSHAM
FLACKWELL HEATH v LEWES
CHATHAM TOWN v MARLOW
DIDCOT TOWN v POOLE TOWN
FAIRFORD TOWN v SHOLING
WINCHESTER CITY or BASHLEY v FAREHAM TOWN
WESTBURY UNITED v YATE TOWN
SLIMBRIDGE v DORCHESTER TOWN
HUNGERFORD TOWN v AFC STONEHAM
TIVERTON TOWN v TAUNTON TOWN
TADLEY CALLEVA v WEYMOUTH
BISHOP’S CLEEVE v WIMBORNE TOWN
GLOUCESTER CITY v AFC PORTCHESTER
MANGOTSFIELD UNITED v BANBURY UNITED
GOSPORT BOROUGH v BASINGSTOKE TOWN
FALMOUTH TOWN v BRIXHAM
SHAFTESBURY v EXMOUTH TOWN
PLYMOUTH PARKWAY v FROME TOWN
TAVISTOCK v ALTON or SWINDON SUPERMARINE
IMAGE | @MagillPhotos
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