Our usual Football League preview that no one reads takes a small step backwards this week, as we preview FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, a competition that should get even less interest than our Football League gear.
Never fear though, our usual bits of UK Football League, or EFL as they like to call it these days, just after we go through what tickles our fancy in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round.
Whilst the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round is still a good four rounds until the majority of the football world gives a toss about the FA Cup, it is perfect for us. We do like the celebrate the more obscure sporting events and people around the world, so this stage of the FA Cup is just that.
Some of these teams are as obscure as they get, some as low down as the ninth tier of English Football. All are just two wins away from the start of the big time. The initial big time being the 1st Round of the FA Cup when the League One and Two sides join. The rest come in proper Round 3.
Not even the fifth tier (and last of the Non League sides) of the National League are even in the comp yet. Lucky, they’ll avoid teams like Tranmere Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, and Boreham Wood.
Here’s a short list of the more interesting things to FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round. Why not get on board at the lower level and show all your masterful FA Cup tipping skills in a few rounds time.
FA CUP 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND
TOP FIVE OF THE TEAMS WHO CAN MAKE THE FA CUP ROUND 1 THAT YOU SHOUDL KEEP AN EYE ON
Whitehawk
Bath City
FC Utd of Manchester
Stourbridge
Altrincham
TOP FIVE OF TEAMS WITH THE BEST SOUNDING NAME THAT MAY NOT GO ANY FURTHER
Swindon Supermarine
Brimscombe and Thrupp
Matlock Town
Felixstowe & Walton Utd
Beaconsfield SYCOB
(SYCOB = Slough Youth Centre Old Boys)
THE LOWEST RANKED SIDES FOR YOU TO GET BEHIND AS ULTIMATE UNDERDOGS
All teams are ninth tier.
Handsworth Parramore – 6th / 22 – Northern Counties East Football League
Bishop Auckland – 7th / 22 – Northern League Division 1
AFC Mansfield – 13th / 22 – Northern Counties East Football League
Morpheth Town – 6th / 22 – Northern League Division 1
Brimscombe and Thrupp – 14th / 18 Hellenic Football League
Felixstowe & Walton Utd – 5th / 21 – Eastern Counties League
Westfields (Hereford) – 1st / 22 – Midland Sporting Premier League
Hadley – (Hertfordshire) 16th / 22 – Spartan South Midlands Football League
Cadbury Heath (South Gloucester )- 14th / 20 – Western League Premier Division
THE FULL FIXTURE LIST
We’ve included that at the bottom. No betting though, can’t find a market in Australia yet.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREVIEW
Onto our quick preview of the Football League weekend ahead.
Nigel Pearson has disappeared at Derby, an if he is sacked he won’t be the first one. His absence didn’t affect them midweek as they scored goals and won.
Nor will he be the last to move on, given the far reach of the corruption scandal. QPR Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank has also been named.
Sacked Manager Count – just 4 so far.
TV GAMES & BEST OF
SAT 11:55PM – beIN Sports 3 (515) Rotherham v Newcastle
SUN 2:25AM – beIN Sports 3 (515) Wolves v Norwich
Not Televised – Championship – Fulham v QPR – Very local derby from London
Not Televised – League One – Bury v Scunthorpe – Unlikely 1st and 2nd meet in League 1.
OUR “BEST BETS” FOR THE WEEKEND
CHAMPIONSHIP
DERBY to beat Reading
HUDDERSFIELD to beat Ipswich
NEWCASTLE to beat Rotherham
ASTON VILLA to beat Preston
BRENTFORD to beat Wigan
$1 for $52
LEAGUE ONE
BOLTON to beat Oxford
CHARLTON to beat Rochdale
MILTON KEYNES to beat Oldham
COVENTRY to beat Port Vale
SHEFFIELD UTD to beat Fleetwood.
$1 for $62
LEAGUE TWO
LUTON TOWN to beat Cheltenham
PLYMOUTH to beat Yeovil
WYCOMBE to beat Exeter
NOTTS COUNTY to beat Morecambe
CARLISLE to beat Colchester
$1 for $34
FULL FA CUP 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW
| AFC Mansfield V Stamford |
| Altrincham V Morpeth Town |
| Beaconsfield SYCOB V Felixstowe & Walton United |
| Billericay Town V Chippenham Town |
| Burgess Hill Town V Cadbury Heath |
| Chesham United V Staines Town |
| Curzon Ashton V Bedworth United |
| Eastbourne Borough V Hadley |
| Ebbsfleet V Havant & Waterlooville |
| Farsley Celtic V Bishop Auckland |
| Faversham Town V Egham Town |
| Halifax V Stalybridge Celtic |
| FC United of Manchester V Harrogate Town |
| Halesowen Town V Nantwich Town |
| Harrow Borough V Winchester City |
| Hendon V AFC Rushden & Diamonds |
| Hungerford Town V Leiston |
| Ilkeston FC V Stourbridge |
| Kettering Town V Boston United |
| Kings Lynn Town V Alfreton |
| Lancaster City V Kidderminster |
| Lincoln United V Handsworth Parramore |
| Margate V Hastings United |
| Matlock Town V Workington |
| Merstham V Thamesmead Town |
| North Leigh V Folkestone Invicta |
| Potters Bar Town V Bath City |
| Slough Town V Dartford |
| Spennymoor Town V Chorley |
| St Albans City V Worthing |
| Stockport V Salford City |
| Taunton Town V Hampton & Richmond |
| Tonbridge Angels V Hereford FC |
| Wealdstone V Banbury United |
| Welling V Swindon Supermarine |
| Westfields V Walton Casuals |
| Weymouth V Brimscombe & Thrupp |
| Whitehawk V Merthyr Town |
| Worcester City V Brackley Town |
| Gloucester City V Hemel Hempstead Town |
