The FA Cup returns this weekend and features 48 clubs from Ligue 1 and 2.
40 matches will be played over four days, with most matches taking place on Saturdays. The round begins with two matches on Friday, followed by five matches on Sunday, with Chesham United and Lincoln City completing the round action on Monday evening.
Commonly used clichés such as David versus Goliath, slaying giants, FA Cup magic and non-league minnows will be used frequently during the weekend’s fixtures. It is also sure to feature in the build-up, television coverage and post-match reports.
round striking tie
The rivalry between the clubs MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon arises from the original Wimbledon Football Club relocating to Milton Keynes and AFC Wimbledon being founded by fans of the former club.
The two clubs met for the first time in this competition 12 years ago, with MK Dons winning 2-1. They are two points apart in Ligue 2 this season and both fans will be keen to have bragging rights over their respective foes.
Minoz
The lowest ranked club remaining in the competition is Hednesford Town, who play in the Northern Premier League Division 1, the eighth tier of the football pyramid. They are hosting Gainsborough Trinity, who play in the division above them.
Harborough Town have reached this stage of the competition for the first time and will face Tonbridge Angels in one of their five non-league matches. Harborough are the underdogs as they are currently in a division below their opponents. Their performance in the FA Cup has hampered their league form and they currently sit in 16th place. Tonbridge Angels currently sit in 12th place in the National League South.
giants
Birmingham City are the highest placed team in round one and travel to Sutton United on Sunday lunchtime. Sutton is a famous player in the FA Cup, famously having beaten then-top-place Coventry City in 1989 and playing against Arsenal in the fifth round in 2017.
Despite the bigger clubs in the Premier League treating the FA Cup as inferior to other competitions, clubs in the lower divisions still perform well in the oldest cup competition in world football. This gives you a chance to get your name out there and the weekend is sure to be amazing.
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