FA Cup Showcase For North East Duo

This coming weekend sees the competition reach the First Round stage with League One and Two clubs entering the fray and looking to negotiate their path into the Third Round while a number of Non-League sides will be aiming to cause an upset.

An unusual feature of the draw was that one team received a bye because of the expulsion of Bury from the EFL and, therefore, from the cup as well.

Perhaps the only positive to come out of that situation was that the bye went to the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, Chichester City, and with it the First Round prize money of £36,000, from which they have promised to make a donation to the new Bury FC.

Two clubs with big games this weekend offer hope of a brighter future should the Shakers rise from the ashes.

National League North Darlington head to League Two strugglers Walsall in confident mood thanks to some good recent form and also pleased to see the name of the famous old club back in the spotlight, seven years after having to start again in the ninth tier of English football.

Manager Alun Armstrong told The Non-League Paper: "Although it's a non-pressure game, it's a huge opportunity for the club and ourselves to get Darlington on the map a little bit."

Prices at Walsall for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday have been reduced to £12 for Adults, £6 for Concessions and £15 for a Family ticket.

Meanwhile, having been demoted to the National League North for financial irregularities (and been perilously close to going out of business altogether), there is a positive vibe around Gateshead FC at present with new owners and some good results on the pitch.

An excellent article on These Football Times tells how a supporters group was instrumental in saving the club and there is an added bonus in a high-profile cup tie against League Two Oldham Athletic at the International Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Admission prices have been reduced to £12 Adults, £7 Concessions and £4 for Under 16's with Under 12's free with a paying adult.