News

Greater Manchester clubs learn their fate in the FA Cup first round draw

The FA Cup first round draw was held on Monday night as League One and League Two teams found out who they would play in their first FA Cup game of the season.

Oldham – who currently sit 18th in the National League – won on penalties in their replay against Chester, and will travel to Wrexham.

The struggling fifth-tier club drew 1-1 with the Cheshire team on Saturday, after a late equaliser saw Chester rewarded with a replay back at their home at the Deva Stadium.

Oldham’s opponents, National League favourites Wrexham, beat Blyth Spartans in their replay 3-2.

Oldham have already played the Welsh side in the league on October 1 when Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham team came out as 2-1 victors.

Salford City will also travel away from home of the weekend of November 4-7: the Ammies will travel down to Cambridgeshire to battle it out with League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough – the first time ever the two clubs will play each other competitively. 

Boro have good form at home at the Weston Homes Stadium, collecting 10 points from their last 15 available at home, with a current three game unbeaten streak. 

Bolton Wanderers have also been given a tough draw in the first round, drawing South Yorkshire giants Barnsley at the Macron Stadium.

This tie is one of three all League One affairs in Round One, alongside Port Vale vs Exeter and Sheffield Wednesday vs Morecambe. 

Four-time FA Cup winners Bolton – who last won the trophy 64 years ago in 1958 – will be wanting to undo last season’s cup failures, having slipped to an 5-3 replay defeat to National League Champions Stockport County in Round One.

Other clubs in the Greater Manchester region also learned their opposition on Monday night.

Curzon Ashton – the lowest-ranked side left from the area in the FA Cup – have been handed a luxury tie against League One opposition Cambridge United.

The National League North side currently sit 14th in the league but their fans will be excited to welcome Football League opposition.

Other clubs who were involved in the draw include Stockport and Rochdale, who will play Swindon and Bristol Rovers respectively. 

 Image taken by Ank Kumar

Related Articles