FA Cup: The Road to Wembley kicks into first gear

For many, this is the best week of the year because it means the FA Cup First Round is in session, with pumpkins in the windows and the distant rumble of fireworks.

The chances are slim that none of the 80 clubs in action this weekend will still be active by the time the action moves under the Wembley Arch in April.

It’s time to dream big, regardless of when your league season may have begun.

Former champions are locked in, local rivalries are back after a while, eighth-tier tiddlers hoping to win over some big fish, and some real “X-factor” talent as well.

Essex side Maldon &amp, Tiptree, who are at the top of the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One North, are the team’s lowest-ranked team still participating in the competition.

After going into the extra preliminary round on August 1st, the Jammers defeated Flackwell Heath 1-0 to claim their sixth FA Cup victory of the campaign. That’s already the most wins a Premier League team would need to win the trophy.

Former West Ham international Freddie Sears headed the only goal of the game, while former Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers, and Ipswich striker Macauley Bonne, who is also a member of the ambitious club’s ranks, is Kevin Horlock, former Northern Ireland international.

On Sunday afternoon (15:00 GMT), the Jammers will travel to League One side Port Vale, which is five levels above them, after checking a map for Burslem.

At this point, there are 32 non-league teams, three of which are seventh-tier.

For the first time in 97 years, Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Chatham Town travels to Buxton in the National League North.

The Chats’ divisional rivals St Albans City travel to League One Burton Albion, four tiers above them, at 15:00 on Saturday, while Gainsborough Trinity, the team that defeated Hartlepool in the final round, will attempt to shock fans with another shock against League Two outfit Accrington Stanley.

The trophy has previously been won by nine of the 80 first-round opponents.

Bolton, four-time champions, hosts 1922 champions Huddersfield on Saturday (15:00 GMT), with Wanderers having defeated the Terriers in 1923 and 1929 to claim two of those victories. Could 2026 be their year?

The 1927 champions Cardiff travel to Peterborough at the same time as League One rivals Blackpool, while Scunthorpe, the champions of 1953, travel to the National League.

Hemel Hempstead Town, who defeated Yeovil in the previous round and reached this stage for the third time in 105 attempts, welcome National League South side Wigan Athletic, who are the most recent winners of any team in this year’s first round, having triumphed in 2013 .

The 1911 champions Bradford are traveling to League Two Cheltenham while AFC Wimbledon welcome National League outfit Gateshead to Plough Lane.

The FA Cup First Round action begins on Friday evening (19:30 GMT) with National League side Forest Green Rovers, managed by Robbie Savage, travelling to League One Luton, now led by Jack Wilshere.

The early kick-off of National League South Chelmsford on Saturday (12:00 GMT) features an all-Essex duo playing Braintree, 11 miles away and struggling in the above division.

National League teams hosting League Two clubs will also be able to watch two ties live on BBC2 and the BBC Sport website.

On Saturday (17:30 GMT), Brackley Town vs. Notts County, who won in 1894, will take place, and Eastleigh host Walsall at 14:15 GMT on Sunday, just before League Two Shrewsbury Town welcomes League Two Shrewsbury Town (12:00 GMT).

League Two Barrow will face off against Spennymoor Town in a non-televised game on Saturday afternoon.

League One Exeter will host FC Halifax of the National League on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Yes, it’s always intriguing to see a “cupset,” but trivia enthusiasts might be interested to know that in the 144 years of the FA Cup, there will only be a 46th tie between teams with the letter X in their names.

Who knows, this might be the start of a golden ‘X’ age as Oxford United, Wrexham, and possibly Crewe Alexandra might be waiting in the hat for round two.