ALL ROADS HEAD TO WEMBLEY
Cup pits brothers together
THERE will be more than FA Cup progress and prize money at stake when West Auckland Town and Washington face each on Saturday.
The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie between the two Northern League clubs sees brothers Jamie and Nathan Cobain in opposition for the first time in their careers.
West Auckland defender Jamie admitted that it took some time for the reality of the situation to hit home.
The former Newcastle United U23 defender explained: “I saw the draw, but I didn’t even realise what it meant at first!
“It was our parents who brought it up, so it’s going to be a tough day for them
“We have never been in this situation and we have never had to challenge each other but I can say that if a ball runs between us, neither one us will pull out of the tackle.”
Brother Nathan takes over the tale.
“Usually one parent watches me and the other watches Jamie, although obviously they will both be sat in the stand on the big day,” he said.
“Mam and Dad know that we are competitive, although it’s usually in the gym rather than on the football pitch.
“We have been away on holiday, but the game didn’t really come up.
“That will all change this week I am sure because it is a big day for the family.
“This will be the first time we have played against each other at any level, so it will be an interesting day!”
Fellow Northern League side Blyth AFC will make their first ever appearance in the competition this season as they travel to Glasshoughton Welfare.
Debut
Blyth has a rich pedigree in the competition thanks to the exploits of the neighbouring Spartans, but the Braves have a chance to write themselves into the town’s history.
A win at Welfare would mean that Blyth AFC would be the first club from the town to win their first FA Cup fixture.
And they aren’t the only club in the Extra Preliminary Round draw to be making a debut appearance in the competition with 14 clubs preparing for their first ever tie.
Among them are Sydenhams Football League duo
Andover New Street and Baffins Milton Rovers. New Street have been handed a home tie against Romsey Town and Rovers head to Tadley Calleva.
United Counties League club Pinchbeck United make their bow at league rivals Rothwell Corinthians.
The BBC will begin their live online coverage of the FA Cup this season with the game between Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League clubs
Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough.
The game kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday and sees the Suffolk clubs face each other at the New Croft ground they both call home – Rovers playing on the grass pitch, while Step 6 Borough play on a 3G surface.
First time
Slightly further apart on Wearside are Sunderland RCA and Ryhope Colliery Welfare.
Separated by just one mile, they face each other for the first time in the FA Cup and the game sees RCA manager Martin Swales facing his former club.
Two former FA Cup quarterfinalists will be in action in the earliest round of the competition next weekend. Northwich Victoria reached the Third Round as recently as 2006, but that is nothing compared to the exploits of 1884, when they faced Blackburn Olympic in the last eight. They’ll be hoping to fare slightly better than the 9-0 defeat they suffered that day when they travel to Widnes at the weekend. Southern Counties East club Chatham Town will entertain Walton & Hersham, a far cry from their quarter-final appearance of 1889 when they faced West Bromwich Albion.
Sadly, much like Northwich Victoria, they were heavily beaten as the Baggies inflicted a 10-1 defeat on the Kent-based club.
The Road to Wembley actually kicks off on Friday night with four ties taking place.
Winslow United host Easington Sports, Leyton Athletic travel to Barkingside, Ascot United entertain Camberley Town and Thetford Town welcome Fakenham Town to the Recreation Ground. The action doesn’t end on Saturday either. Sunday afternoon offers up a number of ties including the World’s second oldest club Hallam FC facing Runcorn Linnets at Sandygate and Coventry United’s home tie
against Rugby Town.
The Road to Wembley is about to get underway, so good luck to all clubs taking part.