HOPPER & SON NON-LEAGUE CHALLENGE TROPHY Looking for a non-league football fix? Run out of things to do? Head over to the blog below and read what Trevor Knell has to say, you will find a range of articles from Step 1-6 and much more: www.footballwriting.blog

Alternatively find me on Facebook under my company name where I am available for any football article writing you would like published: www.facebook.com/TKEnterprises2019

For any queries or ideas please email me at the address below: [email protected] INTRO

Following on from the overriding success of the virtual FA Cup we ran from mid March to early May, the easy thing to do would’ve been to draw a line under it and call it a day. I though ‘It’s not going to be bettered.’ ‘We’re not going to get anyway near it.’ ‘Clubs aren’t going to want to do it again.’ The harder thing to do would be to reimagine it as something completely different, bigger and better. Guess which route we took?

The Hopper & Son Non-League Challenge Trophy was born long before the completion of our virtual FA Cup. One of the trickier parts to our original competition was the necessary omission of 100-200 Step 6 clubs due to the limited number of entrants that the FA Cup offers. Those that missed out included some of the fantastic clubs we’d visited in the past and, although they may never have know and, even if they did, they may not have cared, I felt bad. In addition, non-league doesn’t end with Step 6. At Step 7 there is an abundance of famous clubs, and there are more in Step 8 although it does begin to get a little diluted with reserve teams at this stage.

So the decision was made to create a bespoke non-league competition that ran from Step 1 to Step 7 (a few from Step 8/9 were invited to make up the numbers). The competition would have seven initial rounds, which served as a precursor to a ‘finals’ competition where the last 32 were drawn into a group stage akin to the World Cup Finals with the top 2 in each progressing to the knockout stages.

It took a fair bit of planning to ensure that the calculations for each round worked out with different clubs com- ing into the competition at different stages, similar to the FA Cup. In total 1,408 teams were involved. 452 Step 7 sides kicked off the competition in Round 1, with Steps 4, 5 and 6 joining in Round 2. Step 3 arrived in Round 4, Step 2 in Round 5 and Step 1 in Round 6.

The first batch of Round 1 matches were tweeted out on Monday May 4th and almost immediately the reaction surpassed that of the FA Cup. The average number of votes per tie on the first day was 86.76, compared to 57.35 on the first day of our FA Cup. These were all Step 7 clubs who had not participated in our previous competition, so to say I was blown away would have been an understatement. Since then, and prior to the group stages, some 220,235 votes have been cast at an average of 31,462 per round and 160.05 per game, of which there have been 1,376 so far. The support has been tremendous and has made the competition extremely exciting to follow. Right now, I’m really excited to see how the Group Stages and beyond pan out.

Like the FA Cup, this competition has introduced us to new clubs, new people and whole load of new grounds we’d now love to visit, in addition to the hundreds we already have in mind. When football comes back for real, I cannot wait to start visiting some of these places and meeting some of these people.

There are some excellent clubs who have made it through to the Final 32, and whilst there are two, in Barnet and , who admittedly I’d rather have seen defeated, the fact that they have made it this far should mean that they will still be competitive, even if their official Twitter accounts won’t be getting involved. It’s very difficult to predict what will happen and I hope I’m not going to offend anyone with any predictions that I have made! I genuinely feel that anyone can beat anyone so the next three weeks should be very exciting.

Good luck to everyone involved but most of all, thank you so much for getting involved, taking part and making this competition as fun as it has been to run.

Thank you,

Chris (and Liam) Priday FIXTURES

Saturday 6th June 2020 Harrogate Railway vs Finchampstead 1pm Shepshed Dynamo vs Eagle Sports 1pm Tunbridge Wells vs North Shields Athletic 6pm Ossett United vs Stockport Georgians 6pm Dulwich Hamlet vs Cherry Hinton 8pm FC Clacton vs Harefield United 8pm

Sunday 7th June 2020 Taunton Town vs Horbury Town 1pm Newhaven vs Rovers 1pm Bromley vs Greyfriars Athletic 6pm Shoreham vs Marshalls FC 6pm Barnet vs Queens Park Crescents 8pm Grays Athletic vs Langney Wanderers 8pm

Monday 8th June 2020 Bungay Town vs Clay Cross Town 6pm Stockton Town vs Wallington 6pm Chichester City vs AFC Ringmer 8pm Brentwood Town vs Raynes Park Vale 8pm

Tuesday 9th June 2020 Harrogate Railway vs Eagle Sports 6pm Finchampstead vs Shepshed Dynamo 6pm Tunbridge Wells vs Stockport Georgians 8pm North Shields Athletic vs Ossett United 8pm

Wednesday 10th June 2020 Dulwich Hamlet vs Harefield United 6pm Cherry Hinton vs FC Clacton 6pm Taunton Town vs Sutton Common Rovers 8pm Horbury Town vs Newhaven 8pm

Thursday 11th June 2020 Bromley vs Marshalls FC 6pm Greyfriars Athletic vs Shoreham 6pm Barnet vs Langney Wanderers 8pm Queens Park Crescents vs Grays Athletic 8pm Friday 12th June 2020 Bungay Town vs Wallington 6pm Clay Cross Town vs Stockton Town 6pm Chichester City vs Raynes Park Vale 8pm AFC Ringmer vs Brentwood Town 8pm

Saturday 13th June 2020 Shepshed Dynamo vs Harrogate Railway 1pm Eagle Sports vs Finchampstead 1pm Ossett United vs Tunbridge Wells 4pm Stockport Georgians vs North Shields Athletic 4pm FC Clacton vs Dulwich Hamlet 6pm Harefield United vs Cherry Hinton 6pm Newhaven vs Taunton Town 8pm Sutton Common Rovers vs Horbury Town 8pm

Sunday 14th June 2020 Shoreham vs Bromley 1pm Marshalls FC vs Greyfriars Athletic 1pm Grays Athletic vs Barnet 4pm Langney Wanderers vs Queens Park Crescents 4pm Stockton Town vs Bungay Town 6pm Wallington vs Clay Cross Town 6pm Brentwood Town vs Chichester City 8pm Raynes Park Vale vs AFC Ringmer 8pm

Tuesday 16th June 2020 Last 16 Match 1 6pm Last 16 Match 2 8pm Last 16 Match 3 8pm Last 16 Match 4 8pm

Wednesday 17th June 2020 Last 16 Match 5 6pm Last 16 Match 6 8pm Last 16 Match 7 8pm Last 16 Match 8 8pm

Saturday 20th June 2020 Quarter Final Match 1 6pm Quarter Final Match 2 8pm

Sunday 21st June 2020 Quarter Final Match 3 6pm Quarter Final Match 4 8pm

Tuesday 23rd June 2020 Wednesday 24th June 2020 Semi Final Match 1 7pm Semi Final Match 2 7pm

Saturday 27th June 2020 Final 7pm GROUP KICKS OFF STAGE SAT 6TH DRAW JUNE

Harrogate Railway Bromley

Shepshed Dynamo Shoreham GROUP A GROUP E Eagle Sports Marshalls

Finchampsted Greyfriars Athletic

Tunbridge Wells Barnet

Ossett United Grays Athletic GROUP B GROUP F Stockport Georgians Langney Wanderers

North Shields Athletic Queens Park Crescents

Dulwich Hamlet Bungay Town

FC Clacton Stockton Town GROUP C GROUP G Harefield United Wallington

Cherry Hinton Clay Cross Town

Taunton Town Chichester City

Newhaven Brentwood Town GROUP D GROUP H Sutton Common Rovers Raynes Park Vale

Horbury Town Ringmer AFC HARROGATE RAILWAY

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Jamie HASSALL Joe WILTON Full Name Harrogate Railway Atheltic Football Club Defenders Nicknames The Rail Jassim ALALI The Locomotives Harry CLARKE Founded 1935 Elliot HOLMES Ground Station View Dan McDAID Capacity 3,500 (300 seated) Mike MORRIS Manager Craig Ogilvie Lewis RILEY League Northern Counties East Ally WILSON League Division One Twitter @THERAILFC Midfielders Kieran GREENWAY Lewis HOARE Sam NEWSOME Brad POVEY Lewis THORNTON Danny WARD

Forwards Steve BROMLEY Fraser LANCASTER Jack STAINROD One to Watch Fraser Lancaster How they got here: R2 – 4-1 vs. Barton Town; R3 – Dodworth Miners Welfare; A commanding centre-forward, R4 – 2-1 vs. Whitby Town; R5 – 3-1 vs. Farsley Celtic; R6 – dominant in the air and good at holding 2-0 vs. Stockport County; R7 – 4-2 vs. Hinckley AFC up the ball. A fantastic team player whose commitment will prove crucial, as Prediction: will his influence on the younger Group Stage. It will be a difficult group to get out of for players. Harrogate Railway, with one of the favourites in Shep- shed Dynamo and a dark horse in Finchampstead. Their opening game with Finchampstead could have a big impact of which of the two progress to the last 16. SHEPSHED DYNAMO

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Matty WHITE

Defenders Full Name Shepshed Dynamo Reif ARMSTRONG Football Club Jake BETTS Nicknames The Dynamo Cameron DAY Founded 1994 Josh EGGINTON Ground The Dovecote Stadium Jordan WAKELING Capacity 2,500 (500 seated) Lewis WHITE Manager Damion Beckford-Quailey League Midfielders Premier Division Sean DOY Twitter @ShepshedDynamo Liam HURST

John KING Luke MORAN Niall PRENDEVILLE Karl WHYMARK Reece MORRIS

Forwards Shay BRENNAN Matt MELBOURNE Josh MUNDELL Spencer WEIR-DALEY

How they got here: One to Watch A thumping 6-1 win over Lichfield City in Round Two sparked a faultless progression through the first few rounds with Liam Hurst Cadbury Athletic and Hednesford Town dispatched in com- fortable fashion. In Round Five, Wirksworth Dynamo proved a A former Cambridge United youngster, sterner test, but a late Josh Mundell strike secured a 3-2 win. attacking-midfielder Hurst combines a Benhall St Mary and Chippenham Town were equally difficult range of passing and an eye for goal opponents but narrow wins secured their place in the Group which will make him a real danger to Stages. opposition defences.

Prediction: Semi Finals. Going into the last 32 as one of the favourites for the competition, Shepshed Dynamo have proven their virtual credentials already in the Hopper & Son FA Cup where they reached the Fifth Round. That experience should put them in good stead to reach the latter stages of this competition too. TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Goalkeepers Simon OVERLAND Dean WARFORD

Defenders Full Name Tunbridge Wells Ryan CHEEK Football Club Frankie GRIFFIN Nicknames The Wells Jack HOPE Founded 1886 Joe MATTHEWS Ground Culverden Stadium James NURDEN Capacity 3,750 (250 seated) Freeman ROGERS Manager Richard Styles League Southern Counties East Midfielders League Premier George BLAKE Division James HUGGINS Twitter @Tun_Wells_FC Chris LAWAL Euan SAHADOW

Forwards Josh FROGGATT Danny POWELL Jason THOMPSON Jordan WELLS

How they got here: R2 – 5-0 vs. Erith Town; R3 – 1-0 vs. Rochester City; R5 – 1-0 vs. Lewisham Borough; R6 – 2-0 vs. Margate; R7 – 3-1 vs. Hampton & Richmond Borough One to Watch Chris Lawal Prediction: Group Stage. It’s been quite a comfortable journey to the Ball playing midfielder with an eye for Group Stage for Tunbridge Wells, with only Rochester goal, Lawal will be a key cog in the City giving them a really difficult game. The opposition is Tunbridge Wells side. going to be so much stronger in the group stage and it could be a step too far for The Wells. That said, victory in their opening game at home to North Shield Athletic would change things. EAGLE SPORTS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Liam MARLOW Full Name Eagle Sport Defenders Football Club Ryan BISHOP Nicknames The Gulls Nick CHAMBERS Founded 1928 Richard CHINN Ground Thornton Road Adam COLEMAN Capacity 1,000 Ste ROBINSON Manager Richard Chinn League Cheshire League Midfielders Premier Division Craig BISHOP Twitter @EagleSportsFC Danny BURTHEM

Ed BURTHEM Joe NOLAN Nathan WILLIAMS

Forwards Danny HUTCHINS Jordan LOCKETT Jack NOLAN Chris QUIRK Luke SUTTON

How they got here: One to Watch R1 – 4-1 vs. Bolton County; R2 – 2-1 vs. Hanley Town; R3 – 4-1 vs. Oswerthy Town; R4 – 2-1 vs. Witton Albion; R5 – 4- Adam Coleman 3 vs. Yorkshire Amateur; R6 – 2-0 vs. Harrogate Town; R7 – 2-1 vs. Bude Strong, commanding centre back who is good in the air and confident with his Prediction: feet. Inter League representative for Group Stage. It’s a mightily tough group with one of the the Cheshire Football League this favourites Shepshed Dynamo and one of the outsiders, season. Finchampstead, both in the thick of it. Their opening game against Shepshed Dynamo will likely be their toughest and the result might well be crucial even at such an early stage. A win would certainly swing things in their favour but a defeat could see them having to go to Harrogate Railway needing a result. FINCHAMPSTEAD

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Scott MALONEY

Defenders Full Name Finchampstead Kai ARNDELL Football Club Tiaan COETZEE Nicknames Finch Ryan FINCH Founded 1952 Lewis FRANCIS Ground The Memorial Ground Patrick HAND James PAYNE Capacity 1,000 Ed RAMSEY Manager Chris Payne League Thames Valley Premier Midfielders League Premier Toby MORGAN Division Dan PAWSON Twitter @Finch_FC1 Nick PAYNE (captain) Cam PRITCHARD Kieran ROBINSON Alex WOODHEAD

Forwards Joel DAY Richie DOW Jack LEWIS Tom SYMSS Max TAYLOR Ellis WILLET Liam YELLEND

How they got here: One to Watch R1 – 2-1 vs. Hanborough; R2 – 2-0 vs. Thornbury Town; R3 – 3-2 James Payne vs. Frampton United; R4 – 5-1 vs. Bromley Heath United; R5 – 4-3 vs. Montpellier Villa; R6 – 3-2 vs. Mendip Broadwalk; R7 – 4-3 vs. Tooting Bec Top scorer James Payne is a centre back who is a deadly aerial threat in both Prediction: boxes! Cool, calm and collected, he’s the Round of 16. A real outsider, buoyed on by their success in the club’s penalty taker as well. Berkshire Virtual County FA Cup, Finchampstead will certainly fancy their chances of progressing despite finding themselves in a tricky group. Their opening game is winnable, so if they can get off to a good start they’ve a great chance of going far. Perhaps their toughest test will be Shepshed Dynamo is game two – they certainly won’t want to be heading there with no points on the board. OSSETT UNITED

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Scott MALONEY Full Name Ossett United Defenders Football Club Jake BAYRAM Nicknames Sheepicorns Eddie BUSFIELD Founded 2018 Harry GAGAN Ground Ingfield Ross HARDAKER Capacity 1,950 Nathan NEWALL Manager Wayne Benn Tyler WALKER League Northern Division One Midfielders North West Marko BASIC Twitter @OssettUnited Aiden CROFT Danny GREENFIELD Elliot HARRISON Aaron HASWELL Jack STOCKDILL

Forwards Carl CLARKSON Tom GREAVES Nick GUEST Rahul HO-SHIN

How they got here: One to Watch R2 – 8-0 vs. East Hull; R3 – 6-1 vs. Bridlington Town; R4 – Tom Greaves 4-1 vs. Scarborough Athletic; R5 – 3-1 vs. Skegness Town; R6 – 3-1 vs. Chester; R7 – 3-1 vs. FC Halifax Town Goals have not been a problem for Os- sett United so far in the competition and Prediction: that’s largely thanks to their prolific Quarter Finals. One of the strongest teams on paper, Striker Tom Greaves. Ossett United should reach the Quarter Finals and have the ability to go further. Their one weakness in earlier rounds had been turning up late, but they did on each occasion to enough to turn the game around in their favour. Against more predatory opponents, they are unlikely to get away with that. STOCKPORT GEORGIANS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Dave CASH

Defenders Full Name Stockport Georgians Will CALLAN Football Club Paul BERESFORD Nicknames Georgians Sam MORRIS Founded 1908 Jamie PICKERING Ground Cromley Road Michael TAYLOR Capacity 1,000 Matt TODD Matt WIDDOWSON Manager Andy Jenkins League Manchester Football Midfielders League Premier Joel ATKINSON Division Callum CAMPBELL Twitter @OfficialSGFC Ryan DOLAN Luke FLANAGAN Samuel JOHN

Tom RUSSELL Will WAREING

Forwards Oliver HEMLIN Sam NOAR Robbie ROBERTSON

How they got here:

The Georgians have successfully navigated some tricky ties during the competition, beginning with a 3-1 defeat of Daten in One to Watch Round One. A tense game with Irlam was won 3-2 in the Second Sam Noar Round, with a well backed Springhead side beaten 2-1 in the Third. A comfortable 2-0 win over Ashton United followed in the Prolific goalscorer with a real eye for Fourth Round before successive 3-2 victories over Carlisle City goal, Sam Noar will be Stockport and Morpeth Town set up a Seventh Round tie with Malmesbury Georgians’ most likely source of goals Victoria. Another tight game saw the Georgians triumph 4-3 during the competition. with a controversial late goal settling it.

Prediction: Group Stage. It looks a tricky group on paper but you wouldn’t necessarily bet against the Georgians after some of the battles they’ve had along the way. Whilst true some of their previous ties could have gone either way, the fact that they remain in the competition speaks volumes. DULWICH HAMLET

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers

Full Name Dulwich Hamlet Defenders Aaron BARNES Football Club Kuagica DAVID Nicknames The Hamlet Jesse DEBRAH Founded 1893 Marvin McCOY Ground Champion Hill Richard ORLU Capacity 3,000 (500 seated) Nathan SMITH Manager Gavin Rose Quade TAYLOR League Twitter @DulwichHamletFC Midfielders Diogo BARBOSO Ben CHAPMAN Nyren CLUNIS David IJAHA Kieran MONLOUIS Christian SMITH

Forwards Lionel AINSWORTH Danny MILLS Shamir MULLINGS One to Watch How they got here: Ben Chapman R5 – 4-2 vs. Folkestone Invicta; R6 – 2-1 vs. Shefford Town & Campton; R7 – 3-2 vs. Ingles Skilful young midfielder picked up after his release by Gillingham. energetic and Prediction: with an eye for a pass, he may be the Group Stage. They have an exciting squad and will certainly key for unlocking opposition defences. be able to compete in the group. It just remains to be seen how seriously they take the competition. They started strongly in Round 5, but took their foot off the gas in the following rounds, just getting over the line to qualify for the last 32. If they continue to perform thusly, it’s difficult to see them progressing but if they find the form which fired them past Folkestone Invicta, they might not only qualify, they might go all the way! NORTH SHIELDS ATHLETIC

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Ryan KIRTLEY Full Name North Shields Athletic Defenders Football Club James COOPER Nicknames - Chris GILLESPIE Founded 1952 Ano MATSVIMBO Ground John Spence Jordan SCARTH Community High School Jordan SMITH Capacity 1,000 James STANISTREET Manager -

League Northern Alliance Midfielders Elliot ANDERSON Premier Division Ethan BROWN Twitter @NorthShieldsAth Jonathan COULTHARD Jack PEARSON Felix ROBSON

Forwards Ed JACKSON Scott JASPER Matty SLEE Ross THIRLAWAY Ryan WATERSON Chris ZOLDAN

How they got here: R1 – 1-0 vs. AFC Killingworth; R2 – 3-2 vs. Crook Town; R3 One to Watch – 3-1 vs. Dunston UTS; R4 – 3-2 vs. South Shields; R5 – 3-1 Ross Thirlaway vs. Gateshead; R6 – 3-1 vs. York City; R7 – 3-2 vs. Stockton West End A tricky striker, Ross Thirlaway will be the key source of goals for North Shields Prediction: Athletic during the Competition. Quarter Finals. They look a strong outfit and are capable of going a long way in the competition. Their win against Stockton West End in Round Seven proved their creden- tials and with a group that could be there for the taking, they certainly have the ability to progress into the latter stages. Their opening game at Tunbridge Wells will be interesting! FC CLACTON

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Luke AVENELL Joe FOWLER Full Name Football Club Clacton

Nicknames The Seasiders Defenders Founded 1892 Wayne CHAPMAN Ground Austin Arena Lee CLOWSLEY Josh GOULD Capacity 3,000 (200 seated) Chris RIBCHESTER Manager Tom Austin Billy WALES League Eastern Counties Zach WALTER League Premier Division Midfielders Twitter @FC_Clacton Jack CLAMPIN Kevin COYLE Ricky GRIGGS Kyelan MARVELL Harry McDONALD Charlie THOMPSON

Forwards Jordan BLACKWELL Sean HILLIER Jordan LARTEY Mekhi MCKENZIE One to Watch How they got here: Billy Wales Starting as they meant to go on with a crushing 4-1 victory at Felixstowe & Walton United in the Second Round, FC The club’s youngest ever player when he Clacton have seen off a number of East Anglian sides in debuted aged just 16 years and 73 days UEA FC, Great Yarmouth Town and Sheringham. They’ve during the 2010/11 season. Switching also shown they can get the better of teams higher up the from midfield to left-back proved to be a food chain with Brackley Town and Woking defeated to revelation for the man who has now pave their way to the Group Stages. made over 300 appearances for the

club. Prediction: Round of 16. Whilst not an easy group, FC Clacton should have enough about them to qualify for the last 16 but with some well supported teams expected to make it through, going further could be a challenge. HAREFIELD UNITED

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Jacob BALLHEIMER Reece MALLETT Full Name Harefield United Defenders Football Club Elliott DOBBS Nicknames The Hares Gary EDWARDS Founded 1868 Steven GREEN Ground Preston Park Sean MANGAN Capacity 1,200 (150 seated) Harry McCORKELL Manager Jason Shaw Ryan WHARTON League Spartan South

Midlands League Midfielders Hekmat ALIZAI Premier Division Gurkan GOKMEN Twitter @harefieldutd Lee McMANUS Blaise RILEY-SNOW Sam SHAW Paul UNDERWOOD

Forwards Luke BALDWIN Lenny FARHALL Tash JORDAN Richard PACQUETTE

How they got here: It all started with a tricky trip to Witham Town in Round Two which was eventually won 2-1. Gamlingay United were seen off One to Watch in Round Three before Heybridge Swifts and Wingate & Finch- Richard Paquette ley were demolished 5-0 and 4-0 respectively in the subse- quent rounds. Round Six saw Harefield United win an exciting A vastly experienced striker, capped by battle with Sutton United 3-2 at whilst it Dominica, who has been a regular scorer was the same score at the Crabble Stadium in Round Seven as since arriving at Harefield United in they saw off Dover Athletic to reach the Group Stages. 2018. Known for his strength as well as Prediction: his goalscoring, his ability to hold the Round of 16. They certainly have the potential to progress to ball up could be key to his side’s the latter stages of the competition but, Sutton United aside, chances. they haven’t necessarily been tested against other teams that are taking the competition seriously. Their opening game with FC Clacton may answer any of these lingering doubts. CHERRY HINTON

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Barney McGLAUGHIN Full Name Cherry Hinton Defenders Football Club Jake CROW Nicknames The Cherries George GILLIES Founded 1909 Dan JACKSON Ground Cherry Hinton Lloyd MAKHANYA Recreation Ground Reece PALMER Capacity 1,000 Sam PARKINSON Manager Ben Ferguson Ryan TRAYNIER Alec Banthorpe League County Midfielders League Premier Glen HAYLOCK Division Ardened HIDA Twitter @cherry_hintonfc Johnny MILNE Luke PARKINSON One to Watch Djamel RERIZANI Ardened Hida Ben SAWYER Skilful midfielder who has been with the Forwards club since 2011/12, racking up more Conor DIVER than 200 appearances. Renowned for Lee HUGHES his hard work on the pitch and his bad Nathan McGRATH timekeeping off it! Jose PATRICIO

How they got here: R1 – 4-1 vs. St Andrews; R2 – 3-1 vs. Oakham United; R3 – 2-1 vs. Biggleswade Town; R4 – 3-2 vs. Diss Town; R5 – 2-1 vs. Alfreton Town; R6 – 2-0 vs. Notts County; R7 – 3-2 vs. Bush Hill Rangers

Prediction: Group Stage. It’s been a fantastic achievement for Cher- ry Hinton to make it this far but they’re not just here to make up the numbers. It’s certainly a tough group but if they can start with a win at Dulwich Hamlet, then they might just spring a surprise. Defeat in that game would leave them with a lot to do. TAUNTON TOWN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Lloyd IRISH Full Name Taunton Town Defenders Football Club Ben ADELSBURY Nicknames The Peacocks Aaron BENTLEY Founded 1947 Nick GRIMES Ground The Cygnet Health Pierce MITCHELL Care Stadium Ed PALMER Capacity 2,500 Jamie PRICE Manager Rob Dray Jamie SHORT League Southern League Shane WHITE Premier Division South Twitter @TauntonTownFC Midfielders Ryan BRETT Douglas CAMILO Ollie CHAMBERLAIN Lewis HALL Lee LUCAS

Forwards Gethyn HILL Andrew NEAL Luke SPOKES Dan SULLIVAN One to Watch Matt WRIGHT Andrew Neal

How they got here: Difficult to look past the goal scoring R4 – 3-1 vs. Bovey Tracey; R5 – 2-1 vs. Frome Town; R6 – feats of Andrew Neal. He has scored 4-2 vs. Reading City; R7 – 3-2 vs. Croydon goals wherever he has played and opposition defenders will need to keep Prediction: him quiet. Group Stage. A very tricky one to predict as they’ve blown hot and cold in terms of taking the competition seriously, but on their day they’ve shown that they can compete with strong opposition. Their opening game with Horbury Town will be crucial as they will then have to face a strong Sutton Common Rovers side shortly after. Time will tell but it’s difficult to rule them out. NEWHAVEN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Jake BUSS

Full Name Newhaven Defenders Shane HARPER Football Club Robbie KEITH Nicknames The Dockers (Current) Rob MALILA The Dusters (Historic) Ian ROBINSON Founded 1889 Bailie ROGERS Ground Fort Road Jayson SOWTER Capacity 1,000 Matias TORRES Manager Sean Breach Henry WATSON Andy Cook League Southern Combination Midfielders Premier Division Tom COOKLIN Twitter @NewhavenFC Mo DIALLO Dan HUET Tristan JARVIS Seb SAUNDERS Conor SIDWELL

Forwards Callum CONNOR Lee ROBINSON Alfie ROGERS

How they got here: Newhaven have grown into the competition. They began with two slender wins over Mile Oak and Lingfield before One to Watch impressive home wins over Hartley Wintney and Bath City in Lee Robinson the Fourth and Fifth Rounds respectively. Their 3-2 win at Stalybridge Celtic in Round Seven shows they have the A goal machine who has spent a decade ability to compete with the bigger clubs. with the club. Lightening quick and adept at getting into good positions, it’s Prediction: not difficult to see why he’s bagged so Group Stage. It’s a tough group for Newhaven and the goals many goals for the club/. of Lee Robinson will be crucial. If he can find his scoring boots, it’s definitely possible for them to progress but with Sutton Common Rovers in fine form and both Taunton Town and Horbury Town looking strong in recent rounds, it will be a difficult ask. SUTTON COMMON ROVERS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Michael EACOTT

Defenders Full Name Sutton Common Rovers Aaron BOGLE Football Club Aaron GOODE Nicknames The Commoners Craig Founded 1978 Malachi ROBINSON Ground Gander Green Lane Matt TANTON Capacity 5,013 (765 seated) Rio DAVIDSON-PHIPPS Manager Darren Salmon Donny Reynolds Midfielders League Combined Counties Adam ALLEN League Premier Nathan AYLING Division Ryan DACRES-SMITH Matt FARREL (Captain) Twitter @official_scrfc Kyle HENRY Brendan MURPHY-MCVEY Ollie TWUM

Forwards Danny FERNANDEZ Shawn LYLE Phil PAGE Ben SENIOR

How they got here: Their journey began and almost finished with a trip to Cob- ham in the Second Round, but a late Phil Page winner capped an impressive comeback in a 3-2 win. Another tricky tie was One to Watch navigated in Round Three, as they overcame Peckham Town 2 Malachi Robinson -1 before dispatching Epsom & Ewell by the same score in the following Round. More convincing wins were recorded in A dynamic full-back with explosive pace recent rounds with Harold Wood Athletic and Ware Sports and a great footballing brain. Adept on among those unable to stop the Sutton Common Rovers run either side and capable of some pin- to the Group Stages. point accuracy from the flanks.

Prediction: Runners-Up. They’ve shown in recent rounds that they have some considerable backing. If they can keep that momentum going then they will be difficult to stop and are certainly outsiders to win the competition. HORBURY TOWN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Jordan RIPLEY

Full Name Horbury Town Defenders Football Club Finn ELLIS Nicknames Town Ben PARKINSON Founded 1990’s Luke PLAYFORD Luke RINGSELL Ground Slazengers Sports Shaun WEBSTER Complex Tiger WILSON Capacity 1,000 Manager Darren Barnes Midfielders League West Yorkshire League Brad BALL Premier Division Daniel COOPER Twitter @Horbury_TownFC James FELLOWS Matty JOHNSON Neil SAMARDAJZA

Forwards Isaac BERNASAKO Tom BUTTERFIELD Chris DAVIS Arista LLWELLYN Luke McGRATH Josh STACEY One to Watch How they got here: Matty Johnson R1 – 2-0 vs. Hall Green United; R2 – 3-1 vs. Selby Town; R3 – 4-2 vs. Garforth Town; R4 – 3-2 vs. Stockbridge Parks ‘Johno’ is the workhorse in the Horbury Steels; R5 – 2-0 vs. Vauxhall Motors; R6 – 3-1 vs. Hyde Town midfield, playing a key role pro- United; R7 – 3-2 vs. FC Stratford tecting the back four. A great distributor of the ball and also known to pop up Prediction: with a goal or two. Round of 16. It’s a tricky group with all teams capable of beating one another. It’s certainly possible for Horbury Town to reach the last 16 but getting further could depend on the favourability of the draw. One concern is that until their meeting with FC Stratford in Round Seven, they’ve not yet been truly tested. Their opener with Taunton Town could prove crucial. BROMLEY

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Mark COUSINS Ryan HUDDART Full Name Bromley

Football Club Defenders Nicknames The Ravens Chris BUSH Founded 1892 Alan DUNNE Jake GOODMAN Ground Jack HOLLAND Capacity 5,000 (1,300 seated) Joe KIZZI Manager Neil Smith Dave WINFIELD League National League Sam WOOD Twitter @bromleyfc

Midfielders Billy BINGHAM Luke COULSON Jordan HIGGS Adam MEKKI Frankie RAYMOND

Forwards Michael CHEEK Andre COKER Briggs OJEMEN Ben WILLIAMSON One to Watch Billy Bingham How they got here: R6 – 2-1 vs. Crowborough Athletic; R7 – 2-1 vs. Chesham A vastly experienced central midfielder United who spent a decade in the EFL with Dagenham, Crewe and Gillingham Prediction: before joining Bromley in 2019. Group Stage. Bromley don’t appear to be taking the com- petition too seriously which will open up the top 2 spots in the group to other teams. They scraped a victory in both their previous games, fielding under strength sides to qualify for the Group Stages. It will be interesting to see how they fare in their opening fixture at Greyfriars Athletic as this will likely be an indicator as to how they might perform across the rest of their group games. SHOREHAM

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Ricardo ALVES

Full Name Shoreham Defenders Football Club Matt FIRMIN Nicknames The Musselmen Jordan PESKETT Founded 1892 Harry PRODGER Luca SLANEY Ground Middle Road George STONE Capacity 2,000 Chris SYMES Manager Mark Pulling Charlie TUCK League Southern Combination Division One Midfielders Twitter @ShorehamFC Chris GEER John LANSDALE Charlie PAYNE Mark PULLING Alex SAUNDERS Jake WILSON

Forwards Michael DEATH Neil MUNDAY Morgan VALE Jack WEBBER One to Watch How they got here: Mark Pulling R2 – 2-1 vs. Littlehampton United; R3 – 3-2 vs. Roffey; R4 – 3-2 vs. Hastings United; R5 – 3-1 vs. Hungerford Town; R6 Player-Manager who leads by example, – 2-1 vs. Long Crendon; R7 – 1-0 vs. Kettering Town controlling the midfield as well as scor- ing the odd goal. His role, on and off the Prediction: pitch, will be key if Shoreham are to Round of 16. They have certainly proven their ability to progress in the competition. compete with some excellent sides having seen off Has- tings United and Kettering Town en route to the Group Stages. It will be an altogether different challenge when they face Marshalls in their opening game and it will be interesting to see how they fare in that contest. Shoreham are definitely capable of making it into the last 16 but getting further might be a step too far. MARSHALLS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Nick SCARTH Graeme SMITH Full Name Marshalls Football Club Defenders Nicknames Marsh Adam LANGLEY Founded 1998 Kieran MILLS Ground Heron Eccles Nima NASERI Capacity 1,000 Joe PRENDERGAST Manager Jack Edwards Anthony SHINKS League West Yorkshire League Paddy TAYLOR Premier Division Ollie TOMLINSON Twitter @Marshalls_fc

Midfielders Jack EDWARDS Dan FORRESTER Owen HOUGH Luke PEARCE Alex SCHULZ Jake SKYNER Jake SMITH Shaun SMITH

Forwards One to Watch Eddie HAWTHORNE Jake Smith

How they got here: R1 – 3-1 vs. Beechfield United; R2 – 4-2 vs. Burcough Club captain Jake Smith is the man for Richmind; R3 – 3-1 vs. Glossop North End; R4 – 3-1 vs. the big occasion and his leadership will Nantwich Town; R5 – 3-1 vs. Tadcaster Albion; R6 – 4-3 be heavily relied upon as Marshalls look vs. Darlington; R7 – 2-1 vs. Nailsea United to progress in the competition.

Prediction: Quarter Finals. The way they’ve dominated some of the games they’ve played in so far suggests that they could go a long way in the competition. Their last two ties have been close, but Marshalls have always done enough to get the job done. The likelihood is that there is far more to come from them yet. BARNET

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Rihards MATREVICS Full Name Barnet Football Club Defenders Nicknames The Bees Cheye ALEXANDER Founded 1888 Loic HERNANDEZ Ground The Hive Stadium Elliott JOHNSON Capacity 6,500 (5,419seated) Callum REYNOLDS Manager Darren Currie Ricardo Almeida SANTOS League National League David TUTONDA Twitter @BarnetFC

Midfielders Charlee ADAMS Andre BOUCARD Wesley FONGUCK Daniel SPARKES Dan SWEENEY

Forwards Medy ELITO Paul McCALLUM One to Watch Alfie PAVEY Mauro Vilhete Josh WALKER Portuguese playmaker Vilhete is a youth How they got here: team graduate who has now made over R6 – 3-2 vs. Aveley; R7 – 2-1 vs. Lowestoft Town 200 appearances for the club. Versatile and able play on the left, right on in Prediction: then middle, Vilhete could play a key Group Stage. Arguably the strongest squad in the com- role in the Barnet midfield. petition, but it might be argued that they aren’t taken the competition as seriously as some of the other teams. If they are to make it out of the groups, they will need to get off to a good start with the final group game being against competition favourites Grays Athletic. GREYFRIARS ATHLETIC

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Mike LEY Aaron POWELL Full Name Greyfriars Athletic Defenders Football Club Baxter BATEMAN Nicknames - Jake COX Founded 1967 Adam DIBBLE Ground The Mile Straight Daniel OGDEN Sports Club Luke PROSSER Capacity 200 Connor WILLIAMS Manager Benni McCarthy Midfielders League Bristol Premier Jordan COX Combination Division Will DIXON One Joe LOVE Twitter @greyfriarsafc Jack MARTIN Tom MAUNDER Phil MILLS (Captain) ‘Butter’ TROTTER

Forwards Nick BISHOP Jamie ELLIOTT Tom HAIM Matty TROTH

How they got here: R2 – 3-2 vs. Windsor; R3 – 3-1 vs. Bideford; R4 – 2-1 vs. Hol- yport; R5 – 2-1 vs. Yarnton; R6 – 2-1 vs. Upper Beeding; R7 – 3- One to Watch 1 vs. Tuffley Rovers Matty Troth Prediction: Group Stage. They may be the lowest ranked team left in the A talented striker with the ability to competition but it would be foolish to rule them out. Even as produce a goal out of nowhere. Has a far back as Round Two they were knocking out opponents who knack of getting into good positions and were taking the competition seriously. The wins over Upper his creativity is second to none. Beeding and Tuffley Rovers were particularly impressive and evidence that they shouldn’t be underestimated. Their opening game against Bromley presents them with an opportunity to get three points on the board straight away and that could be very beneficial going into their crucial game against Shoreham. GRAYS ATHLETIC

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Connor PEARCE Danny SAMBRIDGE Full Name Grays Athletic Defenders Football Club Jeremy ARTHUR Nicknames The Gravelmen Lewis CLARK Nathan FOX Founded 1890 Macauley JOYNES Ground Parkside Jack McQUEEN Capacity 3,500 (424 seated) Ashley MILLER Manager Jim Cooper Ryan SAMMONS League North Division Midfielders Jack CURTIS Twitter @GraysAthleticFC Lewis DARK Mitch HAHN Karl KAYEMBE Moroyin OMOLABI Michael PINDY

Forwards Joao CARLOS Ben CLARKE Emmanuel OGUNRINDE Ruben SOARES-JUNIOR Tony STOKES

How they got here: One to Watch Strolling through the earlier rounds with comfortable wins over Joao Carlos Worcester Park, Phoenix Sports, Virginia Water and St Albans City, their first real test came in Round Six where they showed their ability to win from behind after recovering from 2-0 down to win 3- Exciting winger with over 400 2 at Concord Rangers. In Round Seven, they faced another strong appearances and 100 goals for the club challenge in Stamford Lions and again had to come from behind to win 2-1. over two spells. His loyalty to Grays Athletic Prediction: has made him something of a club Winners. Unquestionably among the favourites for the competi- legend and his ability to score and tion. It may have taken until the Sixth Round to really express provide will be a great asset during the their credentials but they certainly displayed the ability to get the competition. job done. Their experience from the Hopper & Son FA Cup may prove advantageous and will certainly give them some belief, having been one of few clubs to seriously test Hashtag United on their way to the title. LANGNEY WANDERERS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Dan HUTCHINS Conner SAUNDERS Full Name Langney Wanderers Football Club Defenders Nicknames Wanderers Dan BLACKMORE Founded 2010 Adam DAVIDSON Ground Harry DUCATEL Capacity 4,151 (542 seated) Peter FEATHERSTONE Manager Simon Colbran Shaun LEE League Southern Combination Midfielders Premier Division Harry BUTLER Twitter @LangneyW Mike GINO Macauley GRAY Try MASKINI Joe SOMERBELL Dean STEVENS Ant STILES

Forwards Bayley COLBRAN Peter COOPER Gary INGRAM Ali MAKAWIR

How they got here: One to Watch R2 – 2-1 vs. Three Bridges; R3 – 2-1 vs. Wick; R4 – 2-1 vs. Gary Ingram Littlehampton; R5 – 3-1 vs. Truro City; R6 – 2-1 vs. Maid- enhead United; R7 – 3-2 vs. Littletown An exciting young player with bags of pace and potential. the hard working Prediction: forward has an eye for goal has a big Round of 16. A place in the last 16 is certainly up for future in the game. grabs and it might well go down to the final game when they play Queens Park Crescents. Their opening game is against one of the competition’s favourites, Grays Athlet- ic and if they can get anything from that game, they could effectively put one foot into the last 16. QUEENS PARK CRESCENTS

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Josh STANDEN Full Name Queens Park Crescent Defenders Football Club Mohammed ABBAS Nicknames The Crescents Mohammed AQEEB Founded 2006 Tim GILL (captain) Ground Allen Park Tim LARRIER Capacity 500 Ismail RAKHMAN Manager Shabz Hussain Hassan YOUSAF League County Football League Midfielders Premier Division Shay FENLON Twitter @GraysAthleticFC A. HUSSAIN Westley LEWIS Ben McGRATH Mohammed OMAR Dominic PARELLA Danial RASOL Fabio SATTAR

Forwards Scott ALLEYNE Raheem JABBAR Shahinur RAHMAN Ones to Watch Scott Alleyne & Raheem Jabbar How they got here: R1 – 4-2 vs. Bedford Albion; R2 – 2-1 vs. Dereham Town; R3 – 3-1 vs. Kirkley & Pakefield; R4 – 3-0 vs. Beaconsfield Established striker Alleyne is a natural Town; R5 – 2-1 vs. Town; R6 – 2-1 vs. Paget born finisher, hard working and Rangers; R7 – 5-4 vs. Riseley Sports determined, whilst Jabbar is a naturally gifted forward blessed with Prediction: pace and skill which will cause problems Group Stage. It might well be a difficult group to get out for opposition defenders. for Queens Park Crescents with Step 1 Barnet, and one of the competition’s favourites in Grays Athletic. Their first game is at Barnet – a win would put them in an excellent position. Defeat, however, could make things extremely difficult. BUNGAY TOWN

Confirmed Squad

Goalkeepers Lewis RICHES Full Name Bungay Town Outfield Football Club Ole ALEXANDER Nicknames Black Dogs Tyrone BAYNES Founded 1925 Charlie BOWEN Ground Maltings Meadow Keith CALEY Sports Ground River CROWSON Capacity 1,000 Stan DOSSETT Manager John Riches Reece EVANS League Lewis GOOD Division One Dan LOWE Twitter @BungayTownFC Sam OLLEY John RICHES (player manager) Shane SMITH Brannan SOLOMON Marcus STRAK Steven THOMPSON-FRIEND Darrell WIGGLER Ben WILSON

How they got here: R2 – 2-0 vs. Edgware Town; R3 – 2-1 vs. Trimley Red Devils; R4 – 4-2 vs. Dunstable Town; R5 – 2-0 vs. Nunea- One to Watch ton Borough; R6 – 4-2 vs. King’s Lynn Town; R7 – 4-2 vs. John Riches Amersham Town

Prediction: Player-Manager John Riches has made Semi Finals. They’ve demonstrated the following they 211 appearances for the club scoring 43 have throughout the competition, particularly with their goals from midfield. A versatile player excellent wins against Dunstable Town and Amersham who can double as a centre-back or an Town. Indeed, their following ensured that they were a emergency forward. top seed for the group stages and whilst it’s a tricky group, you fancy the Black Dogs to make it out into the knockout stages and once there they’ve got a great chance of going much further. STOCKTON TOWN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Michael ARTHUR Callum ROBERTS Full Name Stockton Town Defenders Football Club Alan COSSAVELLA Nicknames The Anchors Tom COULTHARD Founded 1979 Lewis FRENCH Ground Bishopton Road West Lewis KING Capacity 1,800 (200 seated) Adam NICHOLSON Dan McWILLIAMS Manager Michael Dunwell League Northern League Midfielders Division One Max CRAGGS Twitter @stockton_townfc Brad MARRON Nathan MULLIGAN Tom PORTAS James RISBOROUGH Jordan ROBINSON

Forwards Jonathan FRANKS Kevin HAYES Cieran JACKSON Jamie OWENS Michael ROBERTS Fred WOODHOUSE

How they got here: R2 – 1-0 vs. Bishop Auckland; R3 – 2-0 vs. Chester-le-Street; R4 One to Watch – 2-1 vs. Brandon United; R5 – 5-4 vs. Newcastle Benfield; R6 – 3 Max Craggs -2 vs. Lytham Town; R7 – 3-2 vs. Guernsey A youth team graduate who has become Prediction: the complete attacking midfielder. A Group Stage. It shows the strength of the group when you talk superb passer of the ball, he makes and about Stockton Town potentially struggling to get out of it. scores goals and his height and They’ve had some excellent results in the competition so far, the last three especially and these will put them in good stead. strength makes him difficult to defend Their opening game with Wallington will likely be an absolute against. cracker and might well determine who goes through alongside group favourites Bungay Town. The advantage for Stockton might be that they have to play Bungay last, meaning they’ll know exactly where they stand going into that game. WALLINGTON

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Aaron CARR

Defenders Full Name Wallington Association Lewis BATEMAN Football Club Si BROATCH Nicknames The Greens Jonny EDWARDS Founded 1877 Josh LAVERICK Ground Oakford Park John MEHAN Capacity - Justin MILLICAN Manager Trevor Baston Brad RICHARDSON League Northern Football Richard SMITH Alliance League Premier Division Midfielders Twitter @wallington1877 Adam BARKER Kyle REARDON Ben TURNBULL Jake WALTON Kris WILLIS

Forwards Micky ANGUS Andy BELL Si FARRIER John PAXTON Tommy TRUSCOTT

How they got here: R1 – 4-1 vs. Farringdon Detached; R2 – 4-2 vs. Whickham; R3 One to Watch – 6-0 vs. Esh Winning; R4 – 4-3 vs. Whitley Bay; R5 – 6-3 vs. John Meehan Blyth Town; R6 – 3-1 vs. Hurst Green; R7 – 2-1 vs. Forest Row

A marauding full back who likes to get Prediction: Quarter Finals. One of the dark horses for the competition, forward and provide dangerous they’ve come through some difficult challenges in Whitley ammunition for the front players. Bay, Blyth Town and Forest Row already. That puts them in good stead to rise to the challenges they will face in the group stages with a Stockton Town, Clay Cross Town and Bungay Town. They’ve an excellent chance of progressing to the knockout stages and even competing for the ultimate prize. CLAY CROSS TOWN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Ryan HOPKINS Full Name Clay Cross Town Defenders Football Club Joshua BROWN Nicknames The Millers Ross MURCOTT Founded 1989 (as Parkhouse FC) Ryan ORDIDGE Ground The Mill Lane Ground Ash RADMORE Capacity - Thomas TORRINGTON Manager Any Lynam Ryan James WATTERS League Central Midlands League South Division Midfielders Twitter @claycrosstownfc Billy BROOKS Jordan HENDLEY Jake JOHNSON Adam KIMBERLEY Grant MITCHELL Kieran ORDIDGE Josh SCULLY (Captain) Tom SUTER

Forwards Callum LYTHAM Lewis MACASKILL One to Watch Josh PARFITT Josh Scully

How they got here: R1 – 3-1 vs. Team Dudley; R2 – 3-1 vs. Barnt Green Spar- Captain and Top Scorer Josh Scully is tak; R3 – 4-2 vs. Newark Town; R4 – 3-1 vs. Bewdley the dangerman for Clay Cross Town. Town; R5 – 3-1 vs. AFC Sudbury; R6 – 2-1 vs. Bradford Watch out for his free-kicks! Park Avenue; R7 – 4-3 vs. Sheffield FC

Prediction: Group Stage. Despite their strong performances in the competition so far, it could be a difficult task making it out of the group with both Bungay Town and Wallington well fancied. If they can get off to a winning start though, they will have every chance of progressing. CHICHESTER CITY

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Anthony ENDER Steven MOWTHORPE Full Name Chichester City Defenders Football Club Connor CODY Nicknames The Lillywhites Ryan DAVIDSON Founded 2000 Corey HEATH Ground Oaklands Park Ben PASHLEY Capacity 2,000 Ryan PEAKE Manager Miles Rutherford League Isthmian League South Midfielders East Division Matt AXEL Twitter @ChiCityFC Rory BIGGS

Emmett DUNN Jamie HORNCASTLE Rob HUTCHINGS Ben MENDOZA Lloyd ROWLATT

Forwards Josh CLACK Kaleem HAITHAM Gicu IORDACHE Scott JONES Samuel NDLOVU

Jimmy WILD One to Watch

How they got here: Scott Jones R2 – 3-1 vs. Bosham; R3 – 2-1 vs. Bexhill United; R4 – 5-2 vs. Southwick; R5 – 4-1 vs. Merthyr Town; R6 – 2-0 vs. Yeovil Prolific goal scorer and arguably an Town; R7 – 4-2 vs. Hartlepool United even better surfer! The popular striker has plenty of experience having played Prediction: for Havant & Waterlooville. Round of 16. Despite it being a very open group, you’d expect to see Chichester City making it through and more than likely as group winners. That said it remains to be seen how well they might fare against some of the well backed teams in the competition. Their last 3 games leading up to the group stages have been against difficult opposition, but none of them really put up a fight. All eyes will be on their opener with AFC Ringmer. BRENTWOOD TOWN

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Tim BROWN

Full Name Brentwood Town Defenders Football Club Pat AHERN Nicknames The Blues Jay BACON Founded 1954 James HAMMOND Jack KEMSLEY Ground Brentwood Centre Arena Conor MEAD Capacity 1,000 (50 seated) James PUGSLEY Manager Adam Flanagan League Isthmian League North Midfielders Division Denilson CARVALHO Twitter @BrentwoodTownFC Jack DICKINSON Oliver DOSAD Jack EDWARDS Andy FREEMAN Marcus MILNER Robbie REES Adam TOPLEY Joe WICKS

Forwards Marcus ELLIOTT Alan FLEMING Reggie HUBBARD One to Watch Alex NOBLE Andy Freeman

How they got here: A goalscoring midfielder who rose R2 – 8-0 vs. Stotfold; R3 – 2-0 vs. Egham Town; R4 – 2-0 vs. through the youth ranks to Metropolitan Police; R5 – 2-0 vs. Dartford; R6 – 2-0 vs. establish himself as a key member of Maidstone United; R7 – 3-2 vs. Loxwood the team.

Prediction: Group Stage. The most open of all the groups. It’s difficult to say who will make it through but with their excellent defensive record, Brentwood will be hard to beat. The winner of their opening game against Raynes Park Vale will be well placed to progress but it’s such a tough one to call. RAYNES PARK VALE

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Dan McKERRACHER James SMITH Full Name Raynes Park Vale Defenders Football Club James CURRAN Nicknames The Vale Marcus DOWDESWELL Eoin FRASER Founded 1995 Johan KIRSTEN Ground Grand Drive Nathan LEWIS Capacity 1,500 Berti MARTI-PIQUE Manager Gavin Bolger League Combined Counties Midfielders League Premier Danny ALDERTON Ben FOWLER Division Pat GIBSON Twitter @RPVFC Archie HARLAND-GODDARD Tom HARLAND-GODDARD Callum HOPE Sam JORDAN Henri MIKINSI Faiz YUSUF

Forwards Ato OKAI Conor TURNER Jack WILLIAMSON

How they got here: Beginning with wins over Southern Counties East League sides Meridian VP (2-1) and Rusthall (3-1), Raynes Park recorded an One to Watch excellent 3-1 win at Carshalton Athletic in Round Four which Jack Williamson turned a few heads. After seeing off Clapton in Round Five, they shocked many by comfortably beating Boreham Wood before A regular goalscorer for the Vale and making a difficult trip to Chorley in Round Seven where they came from behind to win 4-2 to seal their place in the Group Stages. likely to be their focal point in attack. The club’s top scorer for the past two Prediction: seasons, his goals could prove the Group Stage. They’ve proven they can mix it with the best of them difference between making the last 16 but their win over Chorley did show signs that their back line can or not. be exposed. Against a stronger level of opposition, were they to fall a couple of goals behind, it might be difficult to claw it back as they had done at Chorley. Their second game at Chichester could be crucial in a group which is quite possibly the most open of them all. RINGMER AFC

Confirmed squad

Goalkeepers Joe WHITING Full Name Ringmer Association Defenders Football Club Ben GARDNER Nicknames Rhinos Brett JOHNSON (captain) Founded 2004 David MacNEIL Ground The Caburn Ground Luke TURNER Capacity 2,000 Theo WHITING Manager Oli Gibson

League Mid Sussex Football Midfielders League Premier Andy CRAMP Ben EARLE Division Jake FORWARD Twitter @RingmerAFC Glenn HUNT Rob LE CRAS Ben MILBURN Freddie WADE Tyler WATSON

Forwards Adam BURTON Tobbie FROST Sam SOWTER Sam STRUTT JoJo TUBON One to Watch How they got here: Glenn Hunt R1 – 3-1 vs. Locks Heath; R2 – 2-0 vs. Burgess Hill Town; R3 – 2-1 vs. Christchurch; R4 – 4-3 vs. Horsham; R5 – 5-4 A cultured midfielder with energetic, he vs. Maidenhead Town; R6 – 2-1 vs. Lewes; R7 – 5-3 vs. can cover all areas of the pitch, Gloucester City supporting the team in defence and attack. Prediction: Round of 16. It’s probably the most unpredictable of all the groups and Ringmer AFC look like they could be dark horses to reach the last 16. Their opening game against fellow Sussex side Chichester should be a cracker and you’d fancy the winner to top the group. FOOTBALL BLOGS WORTH CHECKING OUT garethsfootballtravels.wordpress.com – A fascinating foray into football from across the globe. Features include Programme Reviews, One Club Men, The 100 Caps Club, Player Profiles and so much more! beautifulgame2015.blogspot.co.uk – one of the leaders in the matchday vlog con- tent in my opinion, the best bearded duo in football are also pretty hot on the blog front as well. Read about their experiences as they travel around the country taking in new grounds in their own unique behind the scenes style. footygrounds.blogspot.com – one of the most dedicated groundhoppers I know, but have not yet been fortunate enough to meet! This excellent blog is the first place I go if I want to know more about a new ground before we visit it. The pho- tos are superb – although perhaps don’t visit on an empty stomach because the mouth watering food photos will not help!

2018-19seasonreview.blogspot.com – Drew Kendall brings us up to date with his groundhopping experiences as well as some excellent interviews with various non- league players. youtube.com/c/ChrisWhiteAroundTheGround – an excellent look at non-league grounds as wordsmith Chris White flexes his vocabulary to introduce you to a loca- tion each week in his own witty style.

Keep your eye on @TheFootballPink on Twitter for a forthcoming series “Don’t let it bounce - Raynes Park Vale’s non-league journey” which will be a bi-weekly blog on the club’s season antics! gandermonium.com – All things Sutton United – a club close to our hearts as it was their Gander Green Lane where Liam and I first ventured out together to at- tend a football match! janestuart.co.uk – All things Blackpool Football Club and plenty more beyond! GOOD LUCK TO ALL INVOLVED