Four clubs reach FA Cup first round for the first time

Eighth‑tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds will be drawn in the FA Cup first round for the first time in the club’s history when the draw takes place on Monday. The Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side, formed in 2011 after the original Rushden & Diamonds folded, earned their place by beating National League North team Morecambe 2‑1, an upset against a club two divisions above them.

“I’m speechless,” manager Elliot Sandy said to BBC Radio Northamptonshire after the final whistle. “I’m just delighted for everybody – the fans, the volunteers, all the players, my management staff – it’s a really memorable day.”

Ninth‑tier Tadley Calleva will be the lowest‑ranked club in the draw after forcing a replay against National League side Aldershot. The part‑time outfit came from behind twice to secure a 2‑2 draw, backed by 883 travelling supporters, and will host the replay on Tuesday.

Seventh‑tier Berkhamsted produced what many consider the round’s biggest shock, overturning a deficit to defeat Southend United 2‑1 at Roots Hall. The Hertfordshire club is one of four teams making the first‑round proper for the first time, calling the achievement “the greatest day in the history of this football club.”

Two other seventh‑tier sides, Plymouth Parkway and Sholing, also secured first‑round places for the first time, while Wimborne Town returned to the draw for the first time since 1982. Guiseley completes the seventh‑tier representation in round one.

Several clubs from the seventh and eighth tiers kept their hopes alive by earning replays that will be decided on Tuesday. Stafford Rangers, Bury, Leatherhead, Gloucester City and Chesham United all held National League opponents to draws. Bury’s televised tie against Harrogate at Gigg Lane attracted almost 5,000 spectators and ended 1‑1.

All winners from Saturday’s fourth‑qualifying round have earned £9,375 in prize money and will now have the chance to be drawn against League One or League Two opposition, including former FA Cup winners Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City.

The first‑round fixtures are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 7 November.

Saturday’s fourth‑qualifying round results were:
Bury 1‑1 Harrogate Town; AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2‑1 Morecambe; Aldershot Town 2‑2 Tadley Calleva; Altrincham 0‑0 United of Manchester; Barrow 0‑0 Gloucester City; Bedford Town 0‑0 Cray Wanderers; Boreham Wood 3‑2 Woking; Boston United 1‑3 Scunthorpe United; Carlisle United 2‑1 Tamworth; Chesham United 0‑0 Forest Green Rovers; Chorley 1‑1 Worcester City; Dover Athletic 3‑2 Dorking Wanderers; Eastleigh 3‑2 Brentwood Town; Fylde 5‑0 Atherton Collieries; Gateshead 1‑1 Stafford Rangers; Halifax Town 3‑2 South Shields; Harborough Town 3‑1 Spennymoor Town; Hartlepool United 0‑2 Marine; Kidderminster Harriers 2‑1 Solihull Moors; Leatherhead 3‑3 Yeovil Town; Leiston 0‑3 Guiseley; Macclesfield 1‑1 Anstey Nomads; Plymouth Parkway 2‑0 Chertey Town; Salisbury 3‑0 Eastbourne Borough; Sholing 2‑0 SE Dons; Southend United 1‑2 Berkhamsted; Spalding United 2‑2 Alvechurch; Sutton United 1‑0 Truro City; Torquay United 0‑1 Oxford City; Uxbridge 0‑4 Hornchurch; Wealdstone 3‑0 Worthing; Wimborne Town 1‑0 Chelmsford City.

The FA Cup first‑round draw will be conducted at 18:35 BST on Monday 19 October, broadcast live on TNT Sports and the TNT Sports YouTube channel. Former winners Martin Keown and Fara Williams will oversee the draw.