Non-League banana skins await Northampton and Newport in FA Cup
Published:Following the draw for the first round proper, there are several Football League clubs facing FA Cup ignominy after being drawn away to Non League sides, with Northampton and Newport of League Two among them.
It’s been a far from ideal start to their League Two campaign by the Cobblers – where they sit second from bottom – who’ve been draw against Conference South high-flyers Bishop’s Stortford in the first round of the FA Cup.
Having already taken the scalp of Conference side Forest Green in the previous qualifying round, to make it eight wins from their last 10 games in all competitions, the Bishops should be full of confidence when they entertain Northampton.
Meanwhile, another potential banana skin awaits freshly promoted Newport of League Two, who must travel to the Conference’s fourth-placed side Braintree.
Like the Bishops, the Essex-based outfit are in a rich vein of form, recording six wins in eight across all competitions before they host Justin Edinburgh’s Welsh visitors.
Elsewhere, Mansfield travel to St Albans City, Crawley take a trip to Hednesford Town, Swindon are at Macclesfield, Fleetwood face Gloucester and Plymouth will play either Lincoln or Worcester in other tricky away ties for League clubs looking to avoid Non-League embarrassment.
However, League One pacesetters Leyton Orient should be assured of serene progress to round two having drawn conference side Southport at the Matchroom Stadium.
300/1 shots for glory, Wolves, are drawn away at Liverpool’s FA Cup conquerors of last season Oldham, though whether the Latics are as motivated against their divisional foes is perhaps doubtful.
Peterborough’s name is far from secured in the second round after the 300/1 shots drew League Two Exeter, who have only lost once on their travels all season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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