County In FA Cup, But Focus On League Clash

Emirates FA Cup qualifying ties are played this weekend.

County In FA Cup, But Focus On League Clash

Newport County fans are dreaming of making an impact in the Emirates FA Cup, while manager Michael Flynn will insist: “Forget all about it.”

The Exiles have been drawn at home against League One Walsall in the first round, but they play Colchester United at home this evening and are focused on that test alone.

County have not lost at Rodney Parade since a 3-1 defeat against Blackpool last March.

They hope a corner has been turned in their bid to become genuine promotion contenders – and are proving that on the pitch.

Newport are the most deadly team in the country from corners.

They have netted nine goals from corner kicks this season – and the next best tally is five netted by Bradford Coty in League One.

County are sixth in League Two and aim to strengthen their position by winning back-to-back home fixtures against Colchester and Mansfield Town.

FA Cup opponents Walsall are 16th in League One, having earned 15 points from 13 matches.

The two clubs have not played each other in three decades, but Newport have a taste for cup success after going to close to earning a third round tie against Liverpool at Anfield last season.

They lost a replay at Plymouth Argyle, who went forward to play the manager Jurgen Klopp’s team.

In other FA Cup first round ties Hyde United, in round one for first time in 23 years, entertain League One MK Dons, while Heybridge Swifts travel to Paul Tisdale’s Exeter City.

Isthmian League Heybridge are, like Hyde United, are in the eighth tier of the English league pyramid,

League One leaders Wigan Athletic, Cup winners in 2013 are the highest-ranked club in the first round draw, are at home against Crawley Town.

Six-time Cup winners Blackburn Rovers were drawn at home to Barnet.

The first round will take place over the weekend of 3-6 November 2017, with winning clubs receiving £18,000 prize money.

Ties are to be played between November 3 and November 6.

Hyde chairman Steve Hartley said: “We couldn’t ask for more than a home game and against a big club. It’s absolutely perfect for us.

“These guys deserve it. It’s the best team this club has had in a long, long time.”

Ossett Town will make it three eighth-tier teams in the first round if they win Tuesday’s replay against Solihull Moors.

The winners of that tie will face League Two club Wycombe Wanderers.

Barnsley-based Shaw Lane AFC, from the Northern Premier League, are at home against League Two Mansfield Town.

Winning clubs in the first round receive £18,000 in prize money.

FA Cup first round draw: 

Stevenage v Nantwich Town/Kettering Town

Bradford City v Chesterfield

Port Vale v Oxford United

Newport County v Walsall

Morecambe v Hartlepool United

Yeovil Town v Southend United

Peterborough United v Tranmere Rovers

Cambridge United v Sutton United

Forest Green Rovers v Macclesfield Town

AFC Fylde v Kidderminster Harriers

Luton Town v Portsmouth

Shrewsbury Town v Aldershot Town

Hereford v AFC Telford United

Guiseley v Accrington Stanley

Blackburn Rovers v Barnet

East Thurrock United/Ebbsfleet United v Doncaster Rovers

Leatherhead v Brackley Town/Billericay Town

Boreham Wood v Blackpool

Shaw Lane v Mansfield Town

Colchester United v Oxford City

Plymouth Argyle v Grimsby Town

AFC Wimbledon v Lincoln City

Rochdale v Dover Athletic/Bromley

Coventry City v Maidenhead United

Chorley/Boston United v Fleetwood Town

Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic

Notts County v Bristol Rovers

Dartford v Swindon Town

Cheltenham Town v Maidstone United/Enfield Town

Woking/Concord Rangers v Bury

Crewe Alexandra v Rotherham United

Gillingham v Dagenham & Redbridge/Leyton Orient

Hyde United v Milton Keynes Dons

Gainsborough Trinity v Slough Town

Solihull/Ossett Town v Wycombe Wanderers

Northampton Town v Scunthorpe United

Charlton Athletic v Truro City

Wigan Athletic v Crawley Town

Gateshead v Bath City/Chelmsford City

Exeter City v Heybridge Swifts

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