Friday 4 November 2022

FA CUP FIRST ROUND PREVIEW: 2022-23

Grimsby Town vs Plymouth Argyle

After their thrilling 4-2 Devon derby win over Exeter City on Monday night, Plymouth Argyle head north to fac Grimsby Town in the FA Cup first round. 

Manager Steven Schumacher has been given permission to field his loan quartet of Sam Cosgrove, Nigel Lonwijk, Bali Mumba and Morgan Whittaker have been given permission to play by their parent clubs. However, Fin Azaaz misses out with a broken ankle. 

Argyle reached the fourth round last season, where they enjoyed a memorable tie with Premier League side Chelsea - taking the Blues to extra time at Stamford Bridge - so they will be looking to enjoy a similar run again this time.

Milton Keynes Dons vs Taunton Town 

Taunton Town's reward for defeating Somerset neighbours Yeovil Town is a trip to League One outfit Milton Keynes Dons. 

The Peacocks currently occupy 16th place in National League South whilst the Dons are 21st in League One - and find themselves in the relegation zone - but, as in the previous round, they are not overawed by bigger reputations.

Should Taunton pull off a shock it will be the first time ever that they have reached the second round of the competition.

Port Vale vs Exeter City

For a third time in the current calendar year, Exeter City will face Port Vale. The Grecians lost 1-0 to the Valiants on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign, which saw them miss out on the League Two title to Forest Green Rovers. 

Nevertheless, City then gained revenge on Vale with a 4-0 win at St James Park earlier in the season. 

Manager Gary Caldwell will no doubt be keen to enjoy a good run in the FA Cup, after having won the competition with Wigan Athletic in 2013 and he also won the Scottish Cup with Celtic earlier in his playing career.

Weymouth vs AFC Wimbledon

Weymouth's first appearance in the first round proper draw for 15 years sees them face AFC Wimbledon of League Two and looking pull off an upset. 

Bobby Wilkinson's side have already made £18,375 so far from the competition and another £41,000 is available if they shock the Dons at the Bob Lucas Stadium. 

The Terras will be without Ben Gerring who is cup-tied, but Exeter City have given young defender Ed James permission to play. 

Torquay United vs Derby County

The first ever competitive meeting between Torquay United and Derby County will be televised live on ITV with the Gulls aiming to cause what would be a major shock. 

Their League One opponents, winners of the competition in 1947, will be competing in the first round stage for the first time in 37 years and are aiming to avoid what would be a proverbial 'banana skin' in the form of United. 

All of the Gulls' available loan players - Mark Ellis (Barrow), Lucas Ness (Charlton Athletic), Stephen Wearne (Grimsby Town), Dillon De Silva (QPR), Scott Smith (Wigan Athletic) and Will Goodwin (Stoke City) - have been granted permission to play by their parent clubs. 

However, they won't be the only players who will be eagerly anticipating the tie: Gulls' left back Dean Moxey spent two years at Pride Park between 2009 and 2011 - after joining the Rams from Exeter City for £200,000 in 2009. Moxey was also part of the Grecians' side who memorably took Manchester United to a replay in 2004-05, and any wisdom that he is able to impart will certainly prove useful to his younger teammates.