The Cup: Your key stats and facts

With Nantwich Town kicking off in the first of the ties involving 51 EVO-STIK League clubs on Friday night at City of Liverpool before 34 more matches on Saturday and Sunday, @FACupFactfile on Twitter founder Phil Annets casts his expert eye over the weekend's action with a tie-by-tie preview.

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 116 ties this weekend and every club's records in the world's oldest cup competition at: http://facupfactfile.wordpress.com.

The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Friday 1 September
City Of Liverpool (NWCL Premier) v Nantwich Town (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 3
Best Runs: N/A v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings as City of Liverpool is in the club’s first ever FA Cup campaign.
Facts: City of Liverpool is the last debutant club standing this year. Nantwich Town went beyond 1st Qualifying Round for the first time in five seasons last year.

Saturday 2 September
Penistone Church (NCEL Premier) v Whitby Town (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 3
Best Runs: extra preliminary v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Penistone Church is already two rounds further than the club has ever progressed in the FA Cup before. Whitby Town went beyond 1st Qualifying Round for the first time in four seasons last year.

Warrington Town (NPL Premier) v Grimsby Borough (NCEL 1)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 6
Best Runs: Round 2 v extra preliminary
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is three seasons since Warrington Town progressed beyond the 1st Qualifying Round setting the club’s best run in doing so. By making this round in the club’s second ever campaign, Grimsby Borough has now won twice as many FA Cup matches as it has lost.

Ashton Athletic (NWCL Premier) v Bamber Bridge (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Ashton Athletic recorded the club’s best ever FA Cup run last season. Bamber Bridge has twice gone beyond 1st Qualifying Round in last three seasons.

Kidsgrove Athletic (NPL 1S) v Clitheroe (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Kidsgrove Athletic went beyond the 1st Qualifying Round last season for the first time in six years. It is also six years since Clitheroe last progressed beyond the 1st Qualifying Round.

Stalybridge Celtic (NPL Premier) v Farsley Celtic (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 3
Best Runs: Round 2 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings although Stalybridge Celtic did twice knock out the original Farsley Celtic.
Facts: It is 27 years since Stalybridge Celtic last exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round. Farsley Celtic recorded the club’s best ever FA Cup run last season.

Marine (NPL Premier) v Ashton United (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 3
Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 2
History: Three previous FA Cup meetings all won by Marine with Ashton United yet to score.
Facts: It is four years since Marine was last knocked out of the FA Cup in the 1st Qualifying Round. Ashton United was eliminated at this stage last year for the first time in eight seasons.

Shaw Lane Association (NPL Premier) v Radcliffe (NPL 1)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: preliminary v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Shaw Lane Association has yet to taste victory in the FA Cup yet defeat in what is the club’s entry Round would represent a record Cup run. It is six years since Radcliffe last progressed past the 1st Qualifying Round.

Scarborough Athletic (NPL 1N) v Workington (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 4
History: No previous FA Cup meetings although Workington twice knocked out the original Scarborough FC.
Facts: It is three years since Scarborough Athletic last progressed beyond the 1st Qualifying Round and equalled the club’s best Cup run. Workington has not exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round for 14 years.

Cleethorpes Town (NPL 1S) v Atherton Collieries (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is three years since Cleethorpes Town last made it as far as the 1st Qualifying Round in the club’s debut FA Cup campaign. Atherton Collieries has not gone beyond the 1st Qualifying Round for 15 years.

Colne (NPL 1N) v Lancaster City (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is 13 years since Colne went beyond the 1st Qualifying Round for the club’s one and only time. Lancaster City last exited as early as this stage of the competition five years ago.

Ossett Town (NPL 1N) v Consett (NL 1)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v Round 1
History: Two previous FA Cup meetings with one win apiece, 10 years ago won by Consett, 12 years ago by Ossett Town.
Facts: Ossett Town made 2nd qualifying Round last season for the first time in three years. Consett has progressed beyond the 1st Qualifying Round in both the last two seasons.

Hyde United (NPL 1N) v Kendal Town (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is 24 years since Hyde United exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round. Kendal Town has progressed beyond this Round just once in the last four seasons.

Droylsden (NPL 1N) v Colwyn Bay (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings
Facts: Droylsden has only twice gone out of FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying in the club’s last 20 campaigns although they were both in the last four seasons. Colwyn Bay has exited the competition at this stage in both the last two seasons.

Abbey Hey (NWCL Premier) v Altrincham (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 4
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Abbey Hey last equalled the club’s best FA Cup run two years ago. Altrincham hasn’t gone out of the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round for 57 years, although it is 14 years since the club last entered the FA Cup this early.

Skelmersdale United (NPL 1N) v Handsworth Parramore (NCEL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 1 v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup.
Facts: Skelmersdale United exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round last season for the first time in five years. Handsworth Parramore recorded the club’s best FA Cup run last season.

Buxton (NPL Premier) v Frickley Athletic (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 3
History: Two previous FA Cup meetings with one win apiece. Buxton won a replay 66 years ago, Frickley Athletic won 29 years ago.
Facts: Buxton exited the FA Cup in the 1st Qualifying Round last season for the first time in 11 campaigns. Frickley Athletic has gone out at this stage of the competition twice in the last three seasons.

Mossley (NPL 1N) v 1874 Northwich (NWCL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 2 v preliminary
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is six years since Mossley last went beyond the 1st Qualifying Round. Whenever 1874 Northwich exit the FA Cup it will be in a Round other than the Preliminary Round for the first time ever.

Witton Albion (NPL Premier) v South Shields (NPL 1N)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 2 v 3rd qualifying
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 2-0 by Witton Albion in the 1998/99 season.
Facts: It is three years since Witton Albion failed to go beyond the 1st Qualifying Round, whilst South Shields has not progressed beyond this Round for 20 years (17 campaigns).

Halesowen Town (NPL Premier) v Basford United (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 3 v 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is five years since Halesowen Town last failed to go beyond the 1st Qualifying Round. Basford United recorded the club’s best ever Cup run for the ninth time two seasons ago.

Boston Town (UCL Premier) v Hednesford Town (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 3
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 4
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is 22 years since Boston Town last made it beyond the 1st Qualifying Round. Hednesford Town exited the FA Cup in the 1st Qualifying Round last season for the first time in six years.

Loughborough Dynamo (NPL 1S) v Stourbridge (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is five years since Loughborough Dynamo last appeared in the 1st Qualifying Round. Stourbridge recorded the club’s best ever FA Cup run only last season.

Market Drayton Town (NPL 1S) v Alvechurch (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is seven years since Market Drayton Town last recorded the club’s best FA Cup run. It is 26 years and 15 campaigns since Alvechurch ventured beyond the 1st Qualifying Round.

Peterborough Sports (NPL 1S) v Stafford Rangers (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 4 v Step 3
Best Runs: 1st qualifying v Round 4
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Peterborough Sports has equalled the club’s best FA Cup run in both the last two seasons. It is four years since Stafford Rangers last went beyond the 1st Qualifying Round.

Rushall Olympic (NPL Premier) v Potton United (UCL 1)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 6
Best Runs: 4th qualifying v 3rd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is five years since Rushall Olympic last exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round. Potton United last went beyond this Round 20 years ago (12 campaigns).

Sutton Coldfield Town (NPL Premier) v Barwell (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 3
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Sutton Coldfield Town has gone beyond the 1st Qualifying Round just twice in the last seven seasons. Barwell hasn’t failed to do so in each of the last three seasons.

St Ives Town (SL Premier) v Coalville Town (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 3
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: St Ives Town has achieved the club’s best FA Cup run twice in the last four seasons. Coalville Town has ventured beyond the 1st Qualifying Round in each of the last four seasons.

Grantham Town (NPL Premier) v Holbeach United (UCL Premier)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 5
Best Runs: Round 3 v Round 1
History: Three previous FA Cup meetings all won by Grantham Town and all in the 1960s.
Facts: Grantham Town has only once progressed beyond the 1st Qualifying Round in the last four seasons. Holbeach United has only achieved that feat once in the club’s last 16 campaigns.

Haughmond (MFL Premier) v Matlock Town (NPL Premier)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 3
Best Runs: extra preliminary v Round 3
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: This is just the second FA Cup campaign for Haughmond who have now won twice as many FA Cup ties than they’ve lost. Matlock Town has exited the competition in this Round twice in the last three years.

Lincoln United (NPL 1S) v Redditch United (SL Premier)
Levels: Step 4v Step 3
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 1
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Lincoln United went beyond the 1st Qualifying Round in both their last two campaigns. Redditch United has been knocked out in this Round in each of the last six seasons.

Shepshed Dynamo (MFL Premier) v Leek Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: Round 1 v Round 2
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: It is nine years since Shepshed Dynamo last progressed past the 1st Qualifying Round. Leek Town has gone out of the FA Cup at this stage in both the last two seasons.

Stratford Town (SL Premier) v Newcastle Town (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 4
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v Round 1
History: One previous FA Cup meeting six years ago with the two clubs sharing 18 goals between them. A 5-5 draw was followed by a 6-2 win for Stratford Town.
Facts: It was that win for Stratford Town six years ago that took the club beyond the 1st Qualifying Round for the last time. It is seven years since Newcastle Town achieved the same.

Mickleover Sports (NPL Premier) v Hinckley AFC (MFL 1)
Levels: Step 3 v Step 6
Best Runs: 3rd qualifying v 2nd qualifying
History: No previous FA Cup meetings.
Facts: Mickleover Sports has gone beyond this Round three times in the last four years. Hinckley AFC is in just the club’s third FA Cup campaign achieving their best run in their debut season.

Boldmere St Michael’s (MFL Premier) v Chasetown (NPL 1S)
Levels: Step 5 v Step 4
Best Runs: 2nd qualifying v Round 3
History: One previous FA Cup meeting won 2-0 by Chasetown 21 years ago.
Facts: Boldmere St Michael’s has only twice gone beyond this Round in 55 previous FA Cup campaigns. Chasetown has achieved the feat in both the last two seasons.

Sunday 3 September
Romulus (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 (Romulus will be the 175th different club Kettering Town has faced in the FA Cup).
Facts: It is eight years since Romulus last ventured beyond the 1st Qualifying Round. Kettering Town last exited the FA Cup as early as the 1st Qualifying Round four years ago.

Images courtesy of theFA.com & @FACupFactfile/Twitter

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