Are You Ready For The Biggest FA Cup Weekend In Years?

By Sam Elliott

The National League’s deadly dozen are preparing for the most exciting FA Cup weekend in a long while - they are now only a win away from potentially a once-in-a-lifetime tie.

Our 12 sides are gearing up for their second round matches and it’s the joint highest representation in more than a decade at this stage.

The Premier League and Championship sides enter Monday’s draw, but who will be joining them?

It all starts on tonight as Brackley Town look to create more headlines against higher ranked teams - wily manager Kevin Wilkin this time has Tranmere Rovers in his sights.

There are three games on Saturday - and each of our sides face tough away tests against established EFL clubs.

Morecambe stand in Solihull Moors’ way, while Portsmouth - the 2008 FA Cup winners - welcome National League newcomers King's Lynn Town.

Live on BT Sport in the early evening Peterborough United must beware - Chorley, who came from 2-0 down to win at Wigan in the first round, are up for another huge scalp at London Road.

Could Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea await one of our sides in January?

We are certain to have one team in the third round draw - Yeovil Town can’t get it right in the league but their FA Cup form is impressive. Stockport County know they can’t take the Glovers lightly.

Oxford City saw off Northampton famously in round one, can they add to managerless Shrewsbury’s League One woes this weekend?

Dagenham & Redbridge are at Mansfield, who are struggling in League Two - Daryl McMahon wants his team to take the game to the Stags.

Darlington will fancy their chances of another upset - they try and beat yet another League One team, this time they go to Bristol Rovers.

MK Dons’ form is mixed- and Barnet know on their day they are more than capable, having done so well against Sheffield United and Brentford in years gone by.

Havant & Waterlooville have a live TV test at Marine knowing we are sure to get a few Non-League sides in round three.

The same can be said on Monday night - Boreham Wood are at Canvey Island, and so are BT Sport.

This weekend’s second round winners are expected to earn £34,000 from FA prize fund payments.

Friday’s fixture:
Tranmere v Brackley Town

Saturday’s fixtures:
Morecambe v Solihull Moors
Portsmouth v King's Lynn Town
Peterborough United v Chorley

Sunday’s fixtures:
Stockport County v Yeovil Town
Shrewsbury v Oxford City
Mansfield v Dagenham & Red
Marine v Havant & Waterlooville
Barnet v MK Dons
Bristol Rovers v Darlington

Monday’s fixture:
Canvey Island v Boreham Wood

Where next?

What Happened On Saturday Across The National League? It was a perfect start on the National League stage for a new manager - and his first signing - on an exciting afternoon of action.
Spireites Get Their Teeth Into Tigers Manager Rowe Chesterfield’s short search for a new manager is over after making their move for Gloucester City boss James Rowe.

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