It may still be months until the big hitters of the Premier League enter the FA Cup, but the competition is already underway, with 82 teams set to be in action this weekend in the third qualifying round.
We may still be a long way from Wembley – nine rounds to be exact – but the magic of the FA Cup is still very much alive for these teams that all play between the sixth and ninth tiers of English football.
The clubs that do make it through this round will move to within 90 minutes of the first round proper, and for some, progressing in the FA Cup can have a huge benefit not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
York Facing Cup Giant Killing
The biggest name in the draw for the third qualifying round is undoubtedly York City of the National League North, who were playing in the Football League as recently as 2016, while they made it all the way to the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1955, taking eventual champions Newcastle to a replay.
Supporters of the Minstermen can only dream of such successes these days, as they currently sit 12th in the National League North standings and were beaten at home by Hereford – another team with plenty of FA Cup history – during the week.
Home form has been an issue for York all season as they have lost three of their five fixtures at the LNER Community Stadium.
Saturday’s opponents Whitby Town are from a division below York, but they sit third in the Northern Premier League standings and have won four away games on the spin, which certainly makes them an intriguing option at 16/5 to produce a cup giant killing this weekend.
Smooth Progress Expected for Eastbourne
National League South outfit Eastbourne Borough appear to be hitting form as they are unbeaten in four and thrashed Braintree Town 6-0 last weekend.
The Sports have also lost just once on the road this season, and that was at top-of-the-table Dartford, so they will be confident of avoiding a cup shock when they visit seventh-tier Horsham on Saturday.
Horsham sit second bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division standings after winning just one of their opening seven league games, while they have needed replays in both their previous qualifying rounds in the FA Cup to overcome Haywards Heath Town and Kingstonian.
Dominic Di Paola’s side are unlikely to trouble Eastborne too much, with the away victory looking good value at 20/21.
Tie of the Round Set for Kent
The tie of the third qualifying round will take place at the Gallagher Stadium, as Kent rivals Maidstone United and Dartford will go head-to-head.
The two teams currently sit first and second in the National League South standings, with Dartford two points ahead of Maidstone, while neither have tasted defeat so far this season.
Something will have to give on Saturday and Maidstone’s home record may be a little vulnerable after they dropped points in their last fixture at the Gallagher Stadium against Concord Rangers.
Dartford will certainly test that home resolve, as they are four from four on the road this season and they put six past Welling United last weekend, with the Darts perhaps looking the value bet at 29/20 to win the match and advance through to the fourth qualifying round.
*All odds correct at time of writing.