Monday 22 October 2018

HOME DRAWS GALORE FOR THE SOUTH WEST'S FA CUP CONTINGENT

All three Devon clubs and Somerset pair Yeovil Town and Weston Super Mare will all be at home in the first round proper of the 2018-19 FA Cup.

Torquay United's reward for overcoming Lymington Town, Brightlingsea Regent and Winchester City so far in this season's competition is a home draw against fellow Vanarama National League South side Woking.

It will be the third time that the Gulls have faced the Cards in the current calendar year. The previous two meetings have United win 2-1 on Easter Monday at Plainmoor with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scoring the game's decisive goal with a 25-yard strike and a late, second half brace from Jamie Reid secured a well deserved point for the Gulls in what was manager Gary Johnson's first game in charge.

Exeter City will also be at home as they were paired with 1953 cup winners Blackpool, in what will be the first time that the two sides have met since the 2017 League Two Play-off final at Wembley - when the Tangerines won 2-1.

The FA Cup could provide Plymouth Argyle and manager Derek Adams some respite from their disappointing league form, which currently sees them slumped at the foot of League One, as they entertain League Two side Stevenage at Home Park.

Yeovil Town enjoyed a fantastic run in the FA Cup last season, which saw them reach the fourth round where they hosted Manchester United at Huish Park in front of the BBC cameras. This season they have been handed another chance of experiencing another lengthy spell in the competition, as they have been paired with Stockport County of National League North.

Weston Super Mare might be bottom of the National League South table, but a home tie with either Wrexham or Harrogate Town, who are both flying high in the National League, awaits them in the FA Cup first round as a reward for overcoming Bath City.

Should Taunton Town upsets the odds in their fourth qualifying round replay against National League South big spenders Billericay Town then they will be at home to Chesterfield, now of the National League, who famously reached the semi-finals of the cup in the 1996-97 campaign where they lost to Middlesbrough.