Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Mon 24th August 2026 | FA Competition News | By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draws for the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Of the 19 Premier Division clubs that entered the Emirates FA Cup this season, we are down to just four, with three winning last Saturday and one requiring a midweek replay if they are to join them.
South Liverpool and Prestwich Heys were two of the sides winning on Saturday, and they have been drawn against each other in the First Qualifying Round. South have played just four times this season but have won three and drew one of them. Prestwich have played six times, and after losing their opening day match, are unbeaten in the last five games with three wins and two draws.
They haven't played each other this season yet, but the league game is scheduled just seven days after this cup tie! The draw does mean one of our sides are guaranteed a place in the Second Qualifying Round, but we'd rather they play others so that they could both progress!
Trafford's reward for winning at Runcorn Linnets will be an away trip to another Northern Premier League side, this time travelling to NPL Premier Division side Bamber Bridge. The Preston side have won just one of their opening five league games, and enter the FA Cup at this stage.
It's the first time in nine years that Bamber Bridge have played one of our sides in the FA Cup, although they lost that 2017 clash as Ashton Athletic beat them 2-1.
Litherland REMYCA face a midweek replay at Prescot Cables. Should they win that then they will be at home to with NPL West side 1874 Northwich or Northern League side Horbury Town.
1874 are no strangers to our sides having played in the NWCFL for plenty of years before being laterally moved to the Midland League. They achieved promotion from that league last season via the play-off's and have started the season with a win, a draw and a loss, with a win and draw in the FA Cup.
Horbury Town play in the Northern Counties East and have played just three league games with two wins and a draw. Their only loss from seven games this season came in the FA Vase last weekend.
Horbury have never faced one of our sides in the FA Cup, but have played twice in the FA Vase, both of those games going to penalties.
Ties will be played on Saturday 5th September 2026.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £2,250
LOSERS RECEIVE £750
1. Bamber Bridge v Trafford
2. Litherland REMYCA or Prescot Cables v 1874 Northwich or Horbury Town
15. South Liverpool v Prestwich Heys
Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Mon 24th August 2026 | FA Competition News
By Martin Fallon
The FA have today released the draws for the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Of the 19 Premier Division clubs that entered the Emirates FA Cup this season, we are down to just four, with three winning last Saturday and one requiring a midweek replay if they are to join them.
South Liverpool and Prestwich Heys were two of the sides winning on Saturday, and they have been drawn against each other in the First Qualifying Round. South have played just four times this season but have won three and drew one of them. Prestwich have played six times, and after losing their opening day match, are unbeaten in the last five games with three wins and two draws.
They haven't played each other this season yet, but the league game is scheduled just seven days after this cup tie! The draw does mean one of our sides are guaranteed a place in the Second Qualifying Round, but we'd rather they play others so that they could both progress!
Trafford's reward for winning at Runcorn Linnets will be an away trip to another Northern Premier League side, this time travelling to NPL Premier Division side Bamber Bridge. The Preston side have won just one of their opening five league games, and enter the FA Cup at this stage.
It's the first time in nine years that Bamber Bridge have played one of our sides in the FA Cup, although they lost that 2017 clash as Ashton Athletic beat them 2-1.
Litherland REMYCA face a midweek replay at Prescot Cables. Should they win that then they will be at home to with NPL West side 1874 Northwich or Northern League side Horbury Town.
1874 are no strangers to our sides having played in the NWCFL for plenty of years before being laterally moved to the Midland League. They achieved promotion from that league last season via the play-off's and have started the season with a win, a draw and a loss, with a win and draw in the FA Cup.
Horbury Town play in the Northern Counties East and have played just three league games with two wins and a draw. Their only loss from seven games this season came in the FA Vase last weekend.
Horbury have never faced one of our sides in the FA Cup, but have played twice in the FA Vase, both of those games going to penalties.
Ties will be played on Saturday 5th September 2026.
The draw including our sides can be found below:
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026
WINNERS RECEIVE £2,250
LOSERS RECEIVE £750
1. Bamber Bridge v Trafford
2. Litherland REMYCA or Prescot Cables v 1874 Northwich or Horbury Town
15. South Liverpool v Prestwich Heys
