Super statistician runs rule over cup

The cup guru and @FACupFactfile founder previews the ten ties featuring the EVO-STIK League's 12 flag-bearers among the 40 fixtures kicking off this weekend in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

After collecting £4,500 as Second Qualifying Round winners, this weekend's victors will bank another £7,500 from the FA's prize fund and be just one game away from a place in the First Round proper after going into Monday's draw for the final qualifying round.

For more information on the go-to Twitter account of Annets which featured in May's FA Final Cup Final programme at Wembley, read his blog covering all 40 ties this weekend and every club's records in the world's oldest cup competition at: http://facupfactfile.wordpress.com.

1874 Northwich (NWCL Premier) v Ossett Town (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: preliminary v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Having played 7 games already in FA Cup this year, 1874 Northwich are now three Rounds further than the club has ever gone before. Ossett Town has only once gone beyond this Round and that was 12 years ago.

Stafford Rangers (NPL Premier) v AFC Telford United (National League N)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 2
Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings, however Stafford Rangers faced Telford United five times when they were known as Wellington Town, winning just once.
Facts: It is 10 years since Stafford Rangers appeared in and ventured beyond the 3rd Qualifying Round. AFC Telford United set the club’s best FA Cup run just three years ago

Nantwich Town (NPL 1) v Nuneaton Town (National League N)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 2
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 1-0 by Nantwich Town in the 2011/12 season.
Facts: Nantwich Town went beyond this Round for the first time in five years last season. Nuneaton Town has only gone out of the FA Cup as early as this Round three times in the club’s nine campaigns.

Boston Town (UCL Premier) v Hyde United (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is 37 years since Boston Town last appeared in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round. Hyde United has successfully come through the previous Round for the first time in four years.

Scarborough Athletic (NPL 1N) v Stratford Town (SL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 3rd qualifying – the winner of this tie will become history makers
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Scarborough Athletic is appearing in this Round for the first time ever having twice before fallen in the previous Round. Stratford Town is appearing in this Round for the fourth time, all in the 21st Century.

Basford United (NPL 1S) v Kettering Town (SL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 4
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: In 41 previous campaigns Basford United had nine attempts to win in 2nd Qualifying Round, a feat the club has finally achieved at the 10th time of asking. Kettering Town is tracking to reach the 1st Round ‘Proper’ having exited the FA Cup one round further than in the previous year over each of the last three seasons.

Shaw Lane Association (NPL Premier) v Lancaster City (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 3
Best Runs: preliminary v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: The clubs may well play in the same League but their FA Cup histories couldn’t be more different. Shaw Lane Association has now won as many FA Cup ties as they have lost (two), whilst Lancaster City is in the club’s 94th campaign, although they have not ventured beyond the 3rd Qualifying Round for 13 years.

Buxton (NPL Premier) v Alvechurch (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is five years since Buxton progressed beyond the 3rd Qualifying Round. Alvechurch has had to wait a little longer – 26 years, although only 15 campaigns.

Stourbridge (NPL Premier) v Alfreton Town (National League N)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 2
Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Stourbridge set the club’s best ever FA Cup run last season, after equalling their previous best the season before. Alfreton Town has not failed to go beyond this Round for seven years.

South Shields (NPL 1N) v York City (National League N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 2
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v SEMI-FINALS
History: No previous FA Cup meetings, although York City has met former South Shields (or used to be called South Shields) clubs four times in the past, winning two and losing two.
Facts: It is 20 years since South Shields’ one and only previous appearance in the 3rd Qualifying Round. It is 92 years since York City last exited the FA Cup as early as this Round.

Full Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Draw
1 1874 Northwich v Ossett Town
2 AFC Mansfield v Boston United
3 Stafford Rangers v AFC Telford United
4 Newcastle Benfield v Kidderminster Harriers
5 Nantwich Town v Nuneaton Town
6 Boston Town v Hyde United
7 Banbury United v Shildon
8 Scarborough Athletic v Stratford Town
9 Basford United v Kettering Town
10 Shaw Lane Association v Lancaster City
11 Buxton v Alvechurch
12 Stockport County v FC United Of Manchester
13 Ashton Athletic v Chorley
14 Leamington v Gainsborough Trinity
15 Stourbridge v Alfreton Town
16 South Shields v York City
17 Harrogate Town v Bradford Park Avenue
18 Swindon Supermarine v Paulton Rovers
19 Enfield Town v Phoenix Sports
20 Hayes & Waterlooville or Hayes & Yeading United
21 Hereford v AFC Hornchurch
22 Slough Town v Poole Town
23 Brackley Town v Braintree Town
24 Concord Rangers v Dorking Wanderers
25 East Thurrock United v Harlow Town
26 Chelmsford City v Weymouth
27 Cinderford Town v Hampton & Richmond Borough
28 Oxford City v Leiston
29 Margate v Herne Bay
30 St Albans City v Bridport
31 Heybridge Swifts v Frome Town
32 Truro City v AFC Sudbury
33 Eastbourne Borough v Bognor Regis Town
34 Bath City v Hemel Hempstead Town
35 Needham Market v Dartford
36 Haringey Borough v Bideford
37 Folkestone Invicta v Aylesbury United
38 Hungerford Town v Billericay Town
39 Burgess Hill Town v Wealdstone
40 Ashford Town (Middx) v Leatherhead

To view the full draw, rounds dates, exemptions and the FA prize fund, visit: thefa.com.

Image courtesy of theFA.com & @FACupFactfile/Twitter

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