FA Cup 2012/13: Extra Preliminary Round Draw Unkind to Devon Clubs

A new season, and before a ball is kicked in anger the first round of the FA Cup will be played. Though it is not called the first round at this point, but rather than the imaginatively named Extra Preliminary round. Plenty of games to be played before we find out who will be Exeter City’s opponents in round 1.

The FA have been particularly unhelpful to Devon clubs, with only Plymouth Parkway being drawn at home. Details:

Plymouth Parkway v Welton Rovers
Gillingham Town v Tavistock
Chard Town v Ilfracombe Town
Wells City v Barnstaple Town
Larkhall Athletic v Willand Rovers
Buckland Athletic v Bridport
Sherborne Town v Elmore

Of those ties, I think Elmore has the most meaning for Exeter City fans, because of the connection with Adam Stansfield.

Other ties of interest in this round is Alvechurch away to Norton United. For the author, this was his first game that he saw that the Grecians were indeed not invincible, losing 1-0 after spurning a number of chances. This being November 1973.

Two phoenix clubs have been drawn to play each other. Spennymoor Town (reformed in 2005) at home to Scarborough Athletic (who were reformed in 2007).

No place for the new Darlington club, as they hadn’t been formed by the FADeadline.

One tie to take note of is Wembley FC at home to Langford. An example of the FAallowing the sponsors to dictate stuff. Terry Venables is now Director of Football, and they will have a special veterans team of former stars to play in the FA Cup, replacing many of the normal team players.

The full draw for this round can be found here.

The dates of the all the rounds prior to the 1st round proper, and how this fits in with Exeter City games is as follows:

Extra Preliminary Round Saturday 11 August 2012 – City away to Yeovil Town in a friendly match
Preliminary Round Saturday 25 August 2012 – City away to Accrington Stanley
First Round Qualifying Saturday 8 September 2012 – City away to Oxford United
Second Round Qualifying Saturday 22 September 2012 – City away to Southend United
Third Round Qualifying Saturday 6 October 2012 – City home to Richard Duffy’s Port Vale
Fourth Round Qualifying Saturday 20 October 2012 – City home to Chesterfield

Will you be gong to any of the games? Would love to have a match report for Exeweb from you if you’re interested.