Global cup audience for newboys!

16 Aug 2017 By David Watters

South Shields are getting ready to fly the flag for the EVO-STIK League in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday after being chosen to showcase the BBC's new extended coverage of every round.

Millions of fans of the world's oldest cup competition around the globe are expected to watch the preliminary round clash between the 2017 FA Vase winners and Bridlington after the BBC confirmed their cameras were heading to Mariners Park on Tuesday, only hours before a bumper crowd of 1,776 saw last season's quadruple-winning Northern League champions hammer Brighouse Town 5-0.

The EVO-STIK League North newboys and their Northern Counties East League opponents are the second pair of Non-League clubs to be under the spotlight since the BBC announced its live coverage would be starting six rounds earlier at the very start of the competition in the extra-preliminary round instead of the first round proper.

Like the 2-0 victory for Litherland REMYCA over AFC Liverpool two weeks ago, Saturday's clash will be streamed live across BBC Sport's digital platforms, allowing audiences to watch the game live on PC, mobile or connected TV. The tie will also be available live and on-demand on the BBC iPlayer.

Bumper: Some of the 1,776 fans at Mariners Park on Tuesday night

Both clubs are set to receive a £1,000 TV fee after being chosen to front the preliminary round with Match of the Day's Conor McNamara and former Manchester United striker Danny Webber booked to cover the tie which has also been brought forward to kick off at 12.30pm. Viewers will also be able to interact with them using #bbcfacup during the game with the pair promising to engage with cup fans.

At least one of the Mariners will be uses to the spotlight, captain and Argentine former Sunderland and Middlesbrough full-back Julio Arca.

Stamford and Prescot Cables lead the EVO-STIK League's charge into this season's competition on Friday night when they head to Cambridge City and host the City of Liverpool FC respectively in 7.45pm kick-offs.

Warrington Town famously beat Exeter City in the first live match on the BBC in years in 2014 when live FA Cup football returned to the corporation from the first round proper.

Image courtesy of @marinershep/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague

Where next?

Tuesday's Premier Division review Only Grantham Town and Stafford Rangers have managed two wins from the opening two games of the new EVO-STIK League Premier season, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Loan star goes straight into line-up Morecambe's Ben Hedley was expected to go straight into Witton Albion's line-up for the visit of Buxton on Tuesday night joining the EVO-STIK League Premier newboys on a month's loan.