Alvechurch and Stafford set up tasty FA Cup ties

Retold by Oddsrama · 21 October 2026

Stafford Rangers pulled off a commanding display to secure their spot in the FA Cup first round, hammering bottom-of-the-league Gateshead 5-0 in Tuesday's fourth qualifying replay. After the sides drew 1-1 over the weekend, Stafford made no mistake second time around with goals from Scott Bakkor, Darryl Mason, Mitch Clarke, Joe Dunne and Jack Birch settling the tie decisively at Marston Road. For the eighth-tier side, reaching this stage marks a major milestone—their first appearance in the first round proper in two decades. They'll now face a stern test against League Two outfit Grimsby Town in November, a pairing that offers genuine drama for neutrals and should attract serious FA Cup interest.

Alvechurch, operating at the seventh tier, made equally impressive headlines by dismantling Spalding United 4-0 to earn a glamour trip to Plymouth Argyle, who sit near the summit of League One. The performance underlined the talent emerging from the lower divisions this season. Elsewhere, seventh-tier Cray Wanderers secured a home tie against League One leaders Stockport County after an epic penalty shootout victory over Bedford Town (2-2 after normal time). Worcester City will travel to Colchester United after a narrow 1-0 win over Chorley.

The round has served up classic FA Cup theatre: minnow stories, david-versus-goliath matchups, and genuine unpredictability. AFC Rushden & Diamonds, another eighth-tier survivor, will visit Burton Albion, while even ninth-tier Tadley Calleva showed mettle before falling to Aldershot, who earned a trip to third-tier Barnsley. Harrogate Town needed extra time to dispatch seventh-tier Bury 3-1, and Macclesfield secured their date with League One's Mansfield after a 3-0 rout. All first-round ties kick off between 6-9 November, with no replays possible from this stage onward—every tie must be settled on the day.

Based on original reporting by BBC Football. Read the original at bbc.co.uk →

#FA Cup#Stafford Rangers#Alvechurch#Grimsby Town

Alvechurch and Stafford set up tasty FA Cup ties

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