The Cup: Your key stats and facts!

By David Watters

The EVO-STIK League has teamed up with the home of Emirates FA Cup stats and facts again for a tie-by-tie preview of the weekend's preliminary round action!

With Radcliffe FC the first of 38 Northern Premier League clubs to kick off at lunchtime on Saturday live on BBC Sport's digital platforms, @FACupFactfile on Twitter founder Phil Annets casts his expert eye over the weekend's action with a tie-by-tie preview for the second season running.

A lifelong Leeds United fan with a passion for football statistics and especially the FA Cup, the avid Tweeter and Blogger has attracted more than 10,000 followers on Twitter and 100,000 more to http://facupfactfile.wordpress.com since launching both must-read platforms three years ago.

For more information on the super statistician's go-to Twitter account which featured in May's 2018 FA Final Cup Final programme at Wembley, read his blog covering all of this weekend's 160 ties and every club's record in the Emirates FA Cup.

After pumping out his tie by tie previews involving EVO-STIK League clubs throughout the week on the competition's social media channels, here they all are in one place as fans, players and officials prepare to kick off in the world's oldest cup competition ...

FA Cup 2018-19 Preliminary Round

Dunston UTS (NL 1) v Pontefract Collieries (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 1st qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Dunston UTS have only twice failed to progress to the 1st qualifying round in their last eight campaigns. Pontefract Collieries have only gone beyond the preliminary round three times in their previous 23 campaigns.

Morpeth Town (NPL 1E) v Marske United (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Morpeth Town have only progressed beyond the preliminary round twice in their last seven campaigns. Marske United have only managed to do so three times in the last seven years.

Super statistician: @FACupFactfile founder Phil Annets

Super statistician: @FACupFactfile founder Phil Annets

Tadcaster Albion (NPL 1E) v Shildon (NL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v Round 2
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 4-2 by Shildon in a replay in the 2010-11 season
Facts: Tadcaster Albion have made the 1st qualifying round just once in the last five years. Shildon have only twice failed to go beyond the preliminary round in their last eight campaigns.

Clitheroe (NPL 1W) v Sunderland Ryhope Community Association (NL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Clitheroe have only failed to go beyond the preliminary round three times in their last 15 campaigns. For Sunderland Ryhope Community Association last year was the first time ever they went beyond the preliminary round in whole 15 previous campaigns.

Kendal Town (NPL 1W) v Selby Town (NCEL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 6
Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Kendal Town have only twice gone beyond the preliminary round in their last five campaigns whilst it is 10 years since Selby Town last appeared in the 1st qualifying round.

Pickering Town (NPL 1E) v Colne (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Pickering Town last made it beyond the preliminary round in the 2011-12 season. Colne appeared in the 1st qualifying round in each of the last three seasons.

Ashton Athletic (NWCL Premier) v Skelmersdale United (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: In the last two seasons of their 10 FA Cup campaigns so far Ashton Athletic finally went beyond the preliminary round, posting their best Cup run last year. Skelmersdale United last failed to reach the 1st qualifying round in the 2011-12 season.

Ossett United (NPL 1E) v Mossley (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: N/A v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings as Ossett United are competing in the FA Cup for the first time following their foundation this summer. However, Mossley have faced both Ossett Albion and Ossett Town in FA Cup, winning on both occasions, and have won both times against two debut teams
Facts: Ossett United will be hoping to better the 4th qualifying round reached by both Albion and Town. Mossley reached the 1st qualifying round in both the last two seasons.

Atherton Collieries (NPL 1W) v Colwyn Bay (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Atherton Collieries have only appeared in the 1st qualifying round twice in the last 10 years. It was 2009-10 season the last time Colwyn Bay failed to reach the 1st qualifying round.

Kidsgrove Athletic (NPL 1W) v Ramsbottom United (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4 Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Kidsgrove Athletic made it to the 2nd qualifying round in both the last two seasons whilst Ramsbottom United exited in the preliminary round in their last two campaigns.

Stocksbridge Park Steels (NPL 1E) v Bamber Bridge (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v Round 2
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 2-0 by Bamber Bridge four years ago.
Facts: Stocksbridge Park Steels have exited the FA Cup in the preliminary round in each of the last four seasons. Bamber Bridge have only once been knocked out of the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round in their last 11 campaigns.

Prescot Cables (NPL 1W) v Irlam (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v preliminary
History: No previous FA Cup meetings. Irlam are the first club beginning with the letter ‘I’ that Prescot Cables will face in their 205th FA Cup match
Facts: Prescot Cables have exited the FA Cup in the preliminary round in each of their three last campaigns. Irlam are appearing in the preliminary round for only the second ever time in their 6th campaign.

Brighouse Town (NPL 1E) v Parkgate (NCEL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 6
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Brighouse Town have managed to go beyond the preliminary round in half of their eight FA Cup campaigns to date. Parkgate last appeared in the 1st qualifying round in the 2011-12 season.

Prestwich Heys (NWCL 1N) v Radcliffe (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings – Prestwich Heys are the first club beginning with letter ‘P’ Radcliffe will have faced in FA Cup in what will be their 182nd FA Cup game
Facts: Prestwich Heys have only twice failed to appear in the 1st qualifying round in their total of 15 FA Cup campaigns. Radcliffe reached the 1st qualifying round in both the last two seasons.

Droylsden (NPL 1W) v Squires Gate (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 2 v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Droylsden have only once failed to go beyond the preliminary round in their last 21 campaigns. Squires Gate have only progressed beyond the preliminary round five times in their 18 campaigns in total.

Hyde United (NPL Premier) v Sheffield (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v Quarter-finals
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 1-0 by Hyde United in the 1989-90 season
Facts: Hyde United last failed to appear in the 1st qualifying round in the 1979-80 season, and last season equalled their best Cup run. Sheffield have exited the FA Cup in the preliminary round four times in the last seven seasons.

Frickley Athletic (NPL 1E) v Liversedge (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 3 v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Frickley Athletic were last knocked out of the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round in the 1972-73 season when still known as Frickley Colliery. Liversedge appeared in the 1st qualifying round last season for the first time in 10 years.

Runcorn Linnets (NPL 1W) v Maltby Main (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Runcorn Linnets have only progressed beyond the preliminary round three times in their 10 FA Cup campaigns so far. However, Maltby Main have only achieved the same number of 1st qualifying round appearances in their last 11 campaigns.

Litherland REMYCA (NWCL Premier) v Leek Town (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: preliminary v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: This is the second time Litherland REMYCA have competed in the FA Cup and the second time they have appeared in the preliminary round. Leek Town made the 1st qualifying round in each of the last three campaigns.

AFC Darwen (NWCL 1N) v Trafford (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: extra preliminary v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: AFC Darwen are appearing in the FA Cup preliminary round for the first time in what is their 4th campaign. Trafford have only twice failed to make the 1st qualifying round in their last eight campaigns.

City of Liverpool (NWCL Premier) v Glossop North End (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v QUARTER FINALS
History: No previous FA Cup meetings Facts: City of Liverpool made the 1st qualifying round in their only FA Cup campaign to date. Glossop North End have gone out of the FA Cup at this stage in both the last two seasons.

Sutton Coldfield Town (SL 1C) v Gresley (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: It is seven years since Sutton Coldfield Town last exited the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round. Gresley have gone out in the preliminary round three times in their last four campaigns.

Romulus (MFL Premier) v Newcastle Town (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Romulus reached the 1st qualifying round in both the last two seasons. Newcastle Town have alternated between exiting the FA Cup in the 1st qualifying round and the preliminary round over the last seven seasons.

Wednesfield (WMR Premier) v Chasetown (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 3
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 3-2 by Chasetown in the 1988-89 season
Facts: Wednesfield have had an eight year gap between FA Cup campaigns but set their best Cup run in their last campaign. Chasetown last suffered an exit as early as the preliminary round in the 2009-10 season.

Haughmond (WMRL Premier) v Market Drayton Town (NPL 1W)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Last year Haughmond went beyond the preliminary round for the first time in their 2nd FA Cup campaign. Market Drayton Town have exited the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round just four times in their 11 total campaigns.

Loughborough Dynamo (NPL 1E) v Bottesford Town (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 1st qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Loughborough Dynamo have ventured beyond the preliminary round five times in their 13 FA Cup campaigns to date. Bottesford Town have done so only twice in their eight campaigns, but they equalled their best Cup run just last season.

Belper Town (NPL 1E) v Lincoln United (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v Round 1
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 4-1 by Lincoln United in a replay just last season
Facts: Last year was the first time Belper Town exited the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round in six seasons. Lincoln United last failed to go beyond the preliminary round in the 2013-14 season.

Worksop Town (NCEL Premier) v Carlton Town (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 3 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meeting
Facts: Worksop Town last went beyond the preliminary round in the 2013-14 season. Carlton Town exited the FA Cup in thepreliminary round in each of the last three seasons.

Loughborough University (MFL Premier) v Cleethorpes Town (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Loughborough University have only twice ventured beyond the preliminary round in their nine FA Cup campaigns to date. Cleethorpes Town have done so in half of their four campaigns.

AFC Mansfield (NPL 1E) v Rainworth Miners Welfare (EMCL)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 6
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: AFC Mansfield have achieved their best Cup run in both of their last two out of a total of three campaigns. It is six years since Rainworth Miners Welfare last progressed beyond the preliminary rRound.

Stamford (NPL 1E) v Peterborough Sports (SL 1C)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v 1st qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting 99 years won 1-0 by Peterborough Sports (as Brotherhoods Works), but FA disqualified them and awarded tie to Stamford
Facts: Last season saw Stamford exit the FA Cup as early as the preliminary round for the first time in six years. Peterborough Sports have equalled their best FA Cup run to the 1st qualifying Round in each the last three seasons.

Northampton Sileby Rangers (UCL 1) v Wisbech Town (NPL 1E)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Northampton Sileby Rangers only progressed beyond the preliminary round in the first of their four FA Cup campaigns so far. Wisbech Town went beyond the preliminary round last season for the fourth time in their last 11 campaigns.

Spalding United (NPL 1E) v Wellingborough Town (UCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v 1st qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings although Spalding United defeated the original Wellingborough Town twice in three meetings
Facts: Last year Spalding United exited the FA Cup before the 1st qualifying round for the first time in five seasons. Wellingborough Town have only once progressed beyond the preliminary round in their 11 FA Cup campaigns.

Images courtesy of theFA.com & @FACupFactfile/Twitter

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Where next?

NPL Lotto keeps breaking records! The NPL Lotto jackpot keeps getting bigger and bigger with a record-busting £18,800,000 up for grabs on Saturday night after the EVO-STIK League's clubs kick off in the Emirates FA Cup!
Cup draw kicks off charity mission! The Northern Premier League’s second season proudly supporting The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation kicked off on Friday with the draw for the first round of the 2018-19 Integro League Challenge Cup campaign.

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