Monday’s eagerly anticipated draw saw teams from the West Midlands and Oxfordshire learn their fate, as the FA Cup First Round took shape.

Despite the news before the draw that no fans would be allowed in to any games in the FA Cup First Round, supporters up and down the country were ready to see who their respective clubs would be facing, in the hopes of a run to the Third Round, where a potentially lucrative tie awaits.

Walsall v Bristol Rovers

It has been a promising start to the season for Walsall, who are unbeaten in 90 minutes since the start of the season. The Saddlers are currently unbeaten in the league in 13 games, however fans would like a few more wins, rather than draws.

They have been drawn at home against Bristol Rovers, which sees ex players and coaches on both sides. Walsall manager Darrell Clarke spent four and a half years at Bristol Rovers, most of which was spent as their manager. He oversaw back to back promotions with the Gas, and is fondly remembered there. Walsall also have ex-Rovers players James Clarke, and Stuart Sinclair, who followed Clarke to Walsall.

Bristol Rovers have a couple of players that are all too familiar to Saddlers fans too. Erhun Oztumer was Walsall’s top scorer in the 16/17, and 17/18 seasons, and after leaving the Saddlers, he has a mixed time. He is at Rovers on loan, looking to become a first team regular once again. Another ex-Saddler, is Luke Leahy, who was a part of the team that saw Walsall relegated into League Two.

Scunthorpe v Solihull Moors

The Moors have enjoyed a bright start to the National League this season, and will be looking to build on the last two previous seasons, that saw them miss out in the play-offs in 18/19, and miss out on them by one place last season.

After losing to Woking on the opening day of the season, Solihull have won their following three matches, including a convincing 5-0 win against King’s Lynn Town.

They will be optimistic after seeing the draw, in which they will travel to Scunthorpe United. The U’s have had a poor start to the season, winning one, drawing one, and losing six, which sees them in the relegation zone at this early part to the season.

Solihull’s best FA Cup run saw them knocked out twice in the Second Round, so The Moors will want to use form to their advantage, and try and beat a team in a league above them that are struggling, to see them progress and equal their best.

Oxford City v Northampton Town

Oxford City play their trade in the National League South. They will be up against recently promoted Northampton Town, who would have hoped for a better start to League One life than they have.

Oxford City won’t fear facing an EFL opposition. Their best run saw them knocked out in the Second Round in the 17/18 season. They dispatched Colchester United 1-0, then pushed Notts County, who were still in the EFL at the time, to a 3-2 finish, with the winner coming in the 95th minute.

This small club from Oxford have a habit of being able to push teams above them all the way. In the 18/19 season, they forced a replay from Tranmere, after a 3-3 draw. Tranmere won the replay, but would have been worried about an upset.

Northampton have had a slow start to life in League One, they have won two, drawn one and lost five. The concern for Cobblers fans will be the lack of goals scored, which is less than one a game, and the high number conceded, which at 14, is the second highest in the league.

When it comes to the FA Cup, last season’s march to the Fourth Round was the best in the club’s recent history. It was only the second time they have reached round three and beyond since 2010. They forced a replay out of Derby County, which is a respectable way to bow out of the cup. No doubt Town will be hoping for another good run.

Oxford United v Peterborough

Oxford United have had a bit of a stuttering start to the 20/21 season, after losing in the play-off final to Wycombe in July. They have won only two league games, losing their other four. They sit in the relegation zone, however they have played a couple of games less than most of the teams in the league, so it may not be a true reflection of their standing.

The FA Cup has been good to Oxford, and last few years. Since 2015, they have reached the Fourth Round twice, and Fifth Round once, and the Third round once too. Last season saw them lose in Round Four to Newcastle in a replay. The game against Newcastle went to extra-time, and 114th minute winner from Allan Saint-Maximin sealed Oxford’s fate.

The Us will face Peterborough United, who sit second in League One. It will be a tough game for The U’s, who will be facing an in-form side. But this is the FA Cup, and we all know that anything can happen once that whistle blows.

Banbury United vs Canvey Island

Banbury have been drawn at home to Canvey Island, which both teams will look at as an opportunity to progress to the Second Round draw.

Banbury, who play in the Southern League Premier, are in the First Round for the first time since the 1970’s. They have had a fairly average start to the league this season, winning two, drawing two, and losing two, seeing them firmly routed to mid-table. However, the efforts of the team to reach the First Round proper of the cup is what has defined their season so far.

The First Round is the furthest that they have ever reached, so they will be eyeing a spot in the Second Round to really have a season to remember.

Canvey Island are currently sat mid-table of the Isthmian North, with one win, two draws, and a single loss under their belts. Unlike Banbury United, Canvey have progressed further, reaching their club high, of the Third Round in the early 2000s, and will be hoping that they can replicate, as a run for a club of this side can really make a difference with the prize money gained.

Both of these clubs have a real desire to progress in this match, and they will be doing all they can to achieve this.

Brackley Town vs Bishops Stortford

FA competitions have been a good hunting ground for Brackley in the last few years. They have not only reached a club high of the Second Round in the 13/14 season, but they matched it in 17/18. To top these efforts, Brackley won the FA Trophy in the 17/18 season, which was a great occasion for the club, and one that goes down in history for this team.

Brackley are yet to win a league game in the National League North, however they are only three games in, and with only one loss, they will see it as a good start to this campaign, especially with their cup run to date.

They will face a Bishops Stortford side who are currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier division. Bishops Stortford will be out to reach the 2nd Round for only the second time in the club’s history. They were last there in the 1970s, and will feel that the draw has been kinder than it could have been. They have had a storming start to the season, which sees them unbeaten in their opening six games, with four of those being victories.

Bishop’s Stortford are in fine form, and will be hoping that they can use that form to progress. Brackley will have to be at the top of their game to seal a victory, and match their best ever FA Cup return for the third time in a short spell.

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