Maidenhead United is set to host Crawley Town in the first round of the FA Cup in early November, pending the outcome of their fourth qualifying round replay against Taunton Town. The draw, which took place last night, saw the Magpies and the Peacocks drawn at home to the struggling League 1 side.
Crawley Town has been on a rough patch, with no wins in their last 10 matches and six consecutive losses. Sitting third from the bottom of their league, they have only managed to collect seven points from 10 matches. Despite their recent form, the draw against a League 1 team is a significant opportunity for both Maidenhead and Taunton as they head into tonight’s replay.
During Saturday’s match at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium, United took the lead with Reece Smith’s goal just before halftime. However, Taunton fought back in the second half, with David Duru scoring the equalizer in the 76th minute. Craig Ross made a crucial triple save to keep the Magpies in the competition, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The draw for the first round was held in Bradford, a town with historical ties to the FA Cup. The iconic design of the current trophy was created by Bradford jewellers Fattorini and Sons, and the original cup was contested from 1911 to 1993. Bradford City was the first team to lift the trophy, winning against Newcastle United in a replay, marking the club’s only major honor.
The first-round matches are scheduled to take place between November 1 and November 4, with exciting fixtures like Southend United versus Charlton Athletic and Chesham United against Lincoln City. The winning clubs from the first round will receive £45,000 from the FA Cup prize fund, while losing teams will collect £15,000.
Maidenhead has released ticketing details for tonight’s fourth qualifying round replay. Gold Membership tickets are not valid for this match, but tickets can be purchased online or at the turnstile at York Road. Ticket prices are set at £15 for adults, £10 for concessions, and £5 for under-16s. Additionally, children and young people under 16 attending games at York Road must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied supporters aged 16 to 18 may be asked for ID.
In addition to the Maidenhead vs. Crawley Town match, the FA Cup first-round draw has produced several other intriguing matchups. Teams like Barrow, Exeter City, and Tranmere Rovers will be facing off against tough opponents, creating an air of anticipation and excitement for football fans across the country. The FA Cup has a rich history of upsets and dramatic moments, and this year’s competition promises to deliver more memorable matches and surprises.