Friday, 15 October 2021

FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND PREVIEW 2021-22

Torquay United versus Havant & Waterlooville

Since Gary Johnson was appointed as Torquay United manager in September 2018, the Gulls have won five out of the eight FA Cup ties that they have contested. It's a record that United will be looking to maintain when they host National League South side Havant and Waterlooville. 

Before then the Gulls had a pretty clean period in the competition - having failed to record a single win after beating Chesterfield in the first round in the 2011-12 campaign until they smashed Wessex League side Lymington FC 7-0 in a second qualifying round clash, which was streamed live on the BBC's Red Button service, in one of Johnson's early games in charge.

United might not necessarily be considered 'giants' - but Hawks manager Paul Doswell knows a thing or two about giant-killing. He famously lead Sutton United to the fifth round in the 2016-17 campaign, beating AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United enroute. His Havant squad includes a number of players with experience of the EFL and the National League - including three former Gulls in the shape of Scott Rendell, Joe Oastler and Paul Rooney. 

If United were to get through there would be the possibility of facing Sunderland, managed by Johnson's son Lee, or Sheffield Wednesday, who former Gulls' defender Darren Moore is currently in charge of. 

Yeovil Town versus Weymouth

The fourth qualifying round has had the tendency to throw up a number of all National League clashes in recent years, and arguably no such tie could be considered more mouthwatering than Yeovil Town versus Weymouth. 

It will be the first FA Cup meeting in 34 years between the two sides - and the Terras will also be aiming to secure their first win at Huish Park in 33 years. In recent times, a gap of five divisions has existed between the two teams.

However, the Glovers will feel confident going into the tie after completing the league double over Weymouth in the 2020-21 campaign. Unfortunately no fans were allowed inside either Huish Park or the Bob Lucas Stadium to witness either encounter, thus making Saturday's meeting the first one in front of fans in over 22 years.