twofootedtackle.com sizes up this weekend’s giant-killing potential in the FA Cup
No matter what the result, minnows Paulton Rovers will be coming up roses for Saturday's visit of League One side Norwich City in ITV1's live game.
Paulton manager Andy Jones, who employs several members of his squad at his wholesale flower-selling business, will be grateful to see the club's bank balance boosted after his side was drawn against one of the biggest names in the First Round of the FA Cup.
The Zamaretto South & West League side, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, have already earned £29,000 from their FA Cup run and will see another windfall from their televised game. Small change to their ex-Premier League opponents but the equivalent of a big lottery win for Paulton.
Can Jones’s men produce an upset? Paulton have already seen off Blue Square South leaders Newport County, along with Zamaretto Premier sides Tiverton, Didcot, and Chippenham: but any kind of result on Saturday will be a miracle.
Stranger things have happened in the FA Cup though – just ask Histon, conquerors of Leeds United last year. Rovers are boosted by two Bristol Rovers loanees in Neikell Plummer and James Tyrell, and home advantage could prove crucial.
After a very shaky start to the season, Norwich have become one of the form teams of League One, with only one defeat in the last nine.
But these games are all about the occasion, and Paulton's players, staff and fans are sure to have a memorable day in the finest traditions of the FA Cup.
While Paulton may have a day to remember, Northwich Victoria will be determined to get every last penny from their money-spinner against Charlton.
If any club deserves a break it’s the Vics, whose recent crises wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of Coronation Street. The club have entered administration twice in five years, and narrowly escaped a double relegation to the Unibond Premier at the start of this season.
You could say they’ve been passed from pillar to post, but they nearly didn’t have a pillar to be passed from. Last season, with Northwich days away from extinction, and the then-chairman’s company in receivership, he stripped the stadium of power and safety equipment, forcing them to play their home games at Altrincham.
Despite starting the season with a ten-point penalty, the resilient Vics sit 15th in the Blue Square North and would be on the fringes of the play-offs without the deduction.
The money from the Charlton game won’t clear their debts, but the Addicks are one of the best draws the troubled Cheshire club could have got and will give the troubled Cheshire club some breathing space.
On the pitch, the Vics may just fancy their chances. Charlton sit in second in League One but they’ve not been too comfortable on the road this season, with defeats by Carlisle and Colchester in recent weeks. Andy Preece’s well-organised side may just sneak a draw if Charlton take their foot off the gas.
But while the Vics and Paulton both have tough, if lucrative games, there are certain smaller sides who have a realistic chance of progress.
Lowestoft Town, from the Ryman Division One North, face fellow non-league opposition Wrexham, but Dean Saunders’ side can blow hot and cold and this is the type of game they could easily slip up in.
Meanwhile Northampton have found life in League Two tough after their unexpected relegation last season and host Conference North Fleetwood Town, who sit just outside the play-offs. Don’t put it past the Cod Army to Turbot past the Cobblers.
And there are two non-league clubs who have a strong chance of upsetting League One opposition. Don’t put it beyond Nuneaton Town or Tooting and Mitcham United to pull off a giantkilling.
Zamaretto Premier Nuneaton host Exeter City, who were embarrassed at this stage last season by Curzon Ashton. Grecians fans like to joke that manager Paul Tisdale doesn’t do cup runs, just promotions, but with a third successive promotion to the Championship unlikely, Exeter will want a decent cup run.
Meanwhile, Ryman Premier side Tooting will be eyeing up cash-strapped Stockport County, who currently occupy the League One relegation zone.
Tooting’s meeting with Eastbourne to send them to the first round was one of the ties of the first qualifying round, producing 13 goals over two games. First Tooting threw away a 3-1 lead with 89 minutes to go at Imperial Fields, but scoring two stoppage time penalties at Eastbourne to win the game 4-3.
But there is a concern for Tooting and just as Liverpool needed Fernando Torres to play through the pain barrier against Lyon, so the Terrors need Paul Vines to shake off a groin strain for their vital cup match.
The striker has already netted 14 times this season, taking his tally to over 100 goals for Tooting in the process, but is struggling with a groin strain. If he’s fit enough to start, Vines could well tangle up a shaky Stockport defence.
