Super statistician serves up special

With Stamford and Prescot Cables kicking off in the first two ties involving the 44 EVO-STIK League North and South clubs on Friday night before 34 more encounters on Saturday and Sunday, @FACupFactfile on Twitter founder Phil Annets casts his expert eye over the weekend's action.

For more information on the super statistician's go-to Twitter account which featured in May's FA Final Cup Final programme at Wembley, read his blog covering all 185 ties this weekend and every club's records in the world's oldest cup competition at: http://facupfactfile.wordpress.com.

The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round

Friday 18 August
Cambridge City (SL 1SE) v Stamford (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 7-0 by Cambridge City in the 1969/70 season.
Facts: It is 35 years since Cambridge City last tasted defeat in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, although it is 33 years since the club last appeared in it. Stamford reached the 1st Round ‘Proper’ for the first time in their 93rd FA Cup campaign last season.

Prescot Cables (NPL 1N) v City of Liverpool (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v N/A
History: No previous FA Cup meetings as City of Liverpool are competing in it for the first time.
Facts: Prescot Cables has gone out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round in each of the last two seasons.

Saturday 19 August
South Shields (NPL 1N) v Bridlington Town (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Steps 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings but a former Bridlington Town beat a former South Shields 5-3 in 1960-61 season.
Facts: It is five years since South Shields last went beyond the Preliminary Round, although only appeared twice in FA Cup in that time. Bridlington Town has only once failed to reach this round in five years.

Goole (NPL 1N) v Newcastle Benfield (NL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: One previous meeting won 4-0 by Newcastle Benfield nine years ago.
Facts: It is just one FA Cup win in 10 seasons for Goole. Newcastle Benfield has progressed beyond the Preliminary Round twice in the last three seasons.

Tadcaster Albion (NPL 1N) v Colne (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting two seasons ago won 4-2 by Colne.
Facts: Tadcaster Albion reached 1st Qualifying Round for the first time in four seasons last year, whilst Colne have progressed beyond the Preliminary Round in both the last two seasons.

Harrogate Railway Athletic (NCEL Premier) v Kendal Town (NPL 1)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Harrogate RA has progressed beyond this round just four times since last registering their best Cup run ten years ago. Just one FA Cup win in four seasons for Kendal Town.

Scarborough Athletic (NPL 1N) v Marske United (NL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Scarborough Athletic have suffered two successive knock-outs in the FA Cup Preliminary Round since last equalling their best ever Cup run. Marske United has gone beyond Preliminary Round in three of the last four seasons.

Sheffield (NPL 1S) v Ossett Town (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: QUARTER FINAL v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Three Preliminary Round knock-outs in six seasons for Sheffield, whilst Ossett Town has only gone out at this stage once in the last 14 seasons.

Bamber Bridge (NPL 1N) v Brighouse Town (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Bamber Bridge were knocked out in this round of the FA Cup last season for the first time in 15 years whilst it is five years since Brighouse Town exited the competition in the Preliminary Round.

Frickley Athletic (NPL 1S) v Runcorn Town (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 3 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup.
Facts: Frickley Athletic have not exited FA Cup in Preliminary Round for 45 years, although they last appeared in it 35 years ago. Runcorn Town last went beyond the Preliminary Round three seasons ago.

Ramsbottom United (NPL 1N) v Liversedge (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Ramsbottom United were knocked out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round last year for the first time in seven campaigns. Conversely, Liversedge is in Preliminary Round fir the first time in six years.

Pontefract Collieries (NCEL Premier) v Skelmersdale United (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Pontefract Collieries equalled their best ever FA Cup run last season. It is six years since Skelmersdale United exited the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round although this is their first appearance in it for five years.

Trafford (NPL 1N) v Kidsgrove Athletic (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Trafford has gone out at this stage of the competition just once in the last seven seasons, whereas Kidsgrove Athletic have had three Preliminary Round exits in their last five FA Cup campaigns.

Glossop North End (NPL 1N) v Mossley (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: QUARTER FINAL v Round 2
History: One previous FA Cup meeting in 2010/11 season won 4-0 by Mossley at Glossop.
Facts: Glossop North End had their second Preliminary Round exit in five seasons last year whilst Mossley ended a run of five consecutive Preliminary Round exits by winning at this stage last season.

Hyde United (NPL 1N) v Congleton Town (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: Four previous FA Cup meetings with Hyde United winning through on three occasions, although the first meeting in 1953 ended in a 5-5 draw.
Facts: It is 38 years since Hyde United were last knocked out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round, one of only two occasions the club has suffered that fate. Congleton Town has progressed beyond the Preliminary Round just once in the last seven seasons.

Ossett Albion (NPL 1N) v Droylsden (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v Round 2
History: This will be the clubs’ third meeting in the FA Cup in four years, with Droylsden winning both previous encounters.
Facts: Ossett Albion reached the 1st Qualifying Round in each of the last three seasons whilst Droylsden went out in the Preliminary last season for the first time in 20 years.

Colwyn Bay (NPL 1N) v Stocksbridge Park Steels (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v 4th qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting, a 2011/12 2nd Qualifying Round tie won 3-1 by Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Facts: Colwyn Bay hasn’t gone out at this stage of the competition for eight years whilst Stocksbridge Park Steels has exited the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round in each of the last three seasons.

Radcliffe (NPL 1N) v Burscough (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2
History: Four previous FA Cup meetings with Burscough winning through on three occasions including the last time they met four years ago.
Facts: Radcliffe have only suffered defeat at this stage of the competition three times in their last 23 campaigns. Burscough were last knocked out as early as the Preliminary Round 25 years ago.

Leek Town (NPL 1S) v Cammell Laird 1907 (NWCL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 6
Best Runs: Round 2 v 3rdmqualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Leek Town haven’t failed to progress from the Preliminary Round for four years now. It is four years since Cammell Laird went beyond the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

Sporting Khalsa (MFL Premier) v Market Drayton Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Sporting Khalsa has never failed to reach the Preliminary in each of their five campaigns. Last season was the fourth time in 11 campaigns that Market Drayton Town was eliminated from the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round.

Alvechurch (NPL 1S) v Hanley Town (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 3 v preliminary
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is six years since Alvechurch last went beyond the FA Cup Preliminary Round. Hanley Town are equalling their best FA Cup run achieved twice now in their three campaigns.

Bedworth United (NPL 1S) v Haughmond (MFL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v extra preliminary
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Bedworth United last exited the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round four years ago. Haughmond are into the Preliminary Round for the first time in what is the club’s second FA Cup campaign.

Rugby Town (MFL Premier) v Romulus (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is six years since Rugby Town last exited the FA Cup as early as the Preliminary Round. Romulus has had three Preliminary Round exits in their last five FA Cup campaigns.

Brocton (MFL 1) v Gresley (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is four years since Brocton went beyond the Preliminary Round for the first and only time so far. Gresley has failed to go beyond the Preliminary Round just three times in their nine FA Cup campaigns so far.

Newcastle Town (NPL 1S) v Evesham United (SL 1SW)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Newcastle Town has failed to go beyond this Round of the FA Cup five times in the last 10 seasons. It is just two Preliminary Round exits in 13 seasons for Evesham United.

Birstall United (EMCL) v Cleethorpes Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: N/A v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings as Birstall United is in the club’s first FA Cup campaign.
Facts: Cleethorpes Town has gone out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round in both the last two seasons following their record Cup run in their debut season.

Oadby Town (UCL Premier) v Loughborough Dynamo (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Oadby Town has gone beyond the Preliminary Round just once in the last six FA Cup campaigns. Loughborough Dynamo has suffered four consecutive exits in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Staveley Miners Welfare (NCEL Premier) v Basford United (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: This is the first time in three seasons Staveley Miners Welfare are appearing in the Preliminary Round. Basford United has had two Preliminary Round exits in the four FA Cup campaigns since returning to the competition following almost 60 years away.

Boston Town (UCL Premier) v Carlton Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Boston Town is into the Preliminary Round for the first time in three seasons. Carlton Town has been knocked out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round in both the last two seasons.

Lincoln United (NPL 1S) v Belper Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v 4th qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: After three successive Preliminary Round exits, Lincoln United has gone successively further in the FA Cup in each of their last three campaigns. It is six years since Belper Town last tasted defeat in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Wisbech Town (UCL Premier) v Spalding United (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 1
History: Three previous FA Cup meetings all won by Wisbech Town, although the last meeting was 39 years ago.
Facts: Wisbech Town last went beyond the Preliminary Round three seasons ago. Spalding United has gone beyond the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup in each of the last four seasons.

Dereham Town (IL 1N) v Corby Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Dereham Town have progressed beyond the Preliminary Round just seven times in their 15 FA Cup campaigns. It is 13 years since Corby Town last lost in FA Cup Preliminary Round, but this is the first time in 12 years they are appearing in this Round.

Eynesbury Rovers (UCL Premier) v Peterborough Sports (NPL 1S)
Opponents: Step 5
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 1st qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting two seasons ago won 1-0 by Peterborough Sports.
Facts: Eynesbury Rovers went beyond the Preliminary Round last season for the first time in 21 years and eight FA Cup campaigns. Peterborough Sports equalled their best ever FA Cup run last season for the second successive year.

Sunday 20 August
Hallam (NCEL 1) v Atherton Collieries (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 6 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 3-2 by Atherton Collieries seven years ago.
Facts: This is the first appearance in the Preliminary Round for Hallam for eight years (although just five campaigns in that time). It is four successive Preliminary Round exits for Atherton Collieries and seven in the last eight FA Cup campaigns.

Pickering Town (NCEL Premier) v Clitheroe (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 1
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 5-1 by Clitheroe just two years ago.
Facts: Pickering Town hasn’t gone beyond the Preliminary Round for six years. Clitheroe has suffered just four Preliminary Round exits in the last 15 seasons.

Worcester City (MFL Premier) v Chasetown (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 4 v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is 22 years since Worcester City exited the FA Cup as early as the Preliminary Round. It is eight years as well since Chasetown last experienced defeat in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Images courtesy of theFA.com, @FACupFactfile/Twitter

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