FA Cup First-Round Draw Reveals Key Matches Including Leicester City's Tough Away Game

FA Cup First-Round Draw Sets Up Dramatic Weekend

The first round of the FA Cup promises plenty of excitement as Football League teams join the remaining non-league clubs. This stage features intriguing matchups, including a unique family battle and challenging fixtures for previous winners. Fans will be watching closely as Peterborough United faces Reading and several lower-tier teams hope to pull off surprising upsets.

Family Clash Grabs Attention

A notable storyline involves Peterborough United manager Robbie Savage preparing to compete against his son Charlie Savage, who plays for Reading. The fixture at London Road adds a personal twist to this early round encounter. The draw combines 48 clubs from League One and League Two with 32 surviving non-league sides, setting the stage for memorable moments.

Former Champions Face Early Challenges

After recent difficulties, former champions Leicester City and Wigan Athletic enter the competition in the first round this year. Leicester City will travel to face sixth-tier Oxford City, giving the non-league side a rare chance to claim a major upset. Leicester's season has been tough in League One following two relegations, winning only three out of nine league matches so far. Meanwhile, Wigan will play away at Boreham Wood, another intriguing contest.

Non-League Teams Eye Giant-Killings

Several minnows are aiming for historic victories. Tadley Calleva, the lowest-ranked club left in the tournament, could meet League One's Barnsley if they get past Aldershot in a replay. AFC Rushden & Diamonds will travel to Burton Albion. Seventh-tier newcomers Plymouth Parkway and Berkhamsted ended up drawn against each other, guaranteeing one will reach the next round despite missing out on facing higher-league opposition.

Full FA Cup First-Round Fixtures

• Dover Athletic v Wealdstone
• Mansfield Town v Macclesfield or Anstey Nomads
• Huddersfield Town v Exeter City
• Luton Town v Chesham United or Forest Green Rovers
• Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United
• Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday
• Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers
• Leyton Orient v Harborough Town
• Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers
• MK Dons v Swindon Town
• Newport County v Walsall
• Bromley v Rotherham United
• Barnet v Tranmere Rovers
• Fleetwood Town v Rochdale
• Barnsley v Aldershot or Tadley Calleva
• Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted
• Chesterfield v Leatherhead or Yeovil Town
• Gillingham v Barrow or Gloucester City
• Bury or Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde
• Crewe Alexandra v AFC Wimbledon
• Oxford United v Stevenage
• Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
• Bedford Town or Cray Wanderers v Stockport County
• Port Vale v Scunthorpe United
• Cheltenham Town v FC Halifax Town
• Colchester United v Chorley or Worcester City
• Eastleigh v Shrewsbury Town
• Peterborough United v Reading
• Wimborne Town v Crawley Town
• Plymouth Argyle v Spalding United or Alvechurch
• Hornchurch v Blackpool
• Guiseley v Sutton United
• Gateshead or Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town
• Oxford City v Leicester City
• Bradford City v Marine
• York City v Northampton Town
• Altrincham or FC United of Manchester v Notts County
• Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic
• Carlisle United v Salford City
• Salisbury v Sholing

Looking Ahead

All first-round matches will take place during the weekend of November 7. Teams that advance will prepare for the second round and hope to reach the lucrative third round when Championship and Premier League clubs enter the competition.