The Wands have actually advanced through a number of certifying rounds to reach the FA Cup First Round Proper, making a tie versus a Hatters side who reached 2nd in the league after beating Wimbledon 2-1 last weekend.
Match sneak peek
Having actually played 7 matches in the FA Cup this season, 4 of which ended level after 90 minutes, with 3 needing replays, Cray Wanderers have actually reached the First Round Proper for the very first time in their 166-year history, having actually been established before the competitors itself.
Getting in the competitors in the First Qualifying Round, the Wands conquered Lewes, Maidstone United, Chippenham Town and, most just recently, Bedford Town to establish Sunday’s historical encounter.
Led by Tim O’Shea, who made 3 league looks for Tottenham Hotspur throughout the 1980s, Cray’s latest tie saw them draw with Bedford after 90 minutes before discovering another equaliser in additional time to take the contest to a charge shootout.
The Wands consequently dominated 4-3 on charges to produce a minute of history and have actually considering that gone back to league action, where they complete at Step 3 of the National League System and presently sit simply one location above the transfer zone in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Their league position does not totally show the 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 beats they have actually tape-recorded from their opening 10 matches, with their excellent FA Cup run requiring numerous components to be held off and reorganized.
As an outcome, O’Shea’s side have as numerous as 7 video games in hand on a few of their fellow seventh-tier sides.
© Iconsport/ Mark Fletcher, MI News & Sport/ Alamy
When It Comes To Stockport County, they make the journey to Chislehurst wanting to prevent what might show to be among the most significant FA Cup upsets of the season.
Led by Jimmy McNultythe Hatters have actually delighted in an outstanding run of kind in League Onewith 4 triumphes from their last 6 matches raising them to 2nd in the table, simply 3 points behind the league leaders.
Stockport’s FA Cup project concerned an end in the 2nd round last season following a 5-4 charge shootout defeat to Cambridge United, although they dealt with Premier League opposition in Crystal Palace throughout the 2024-25 project, ultimately suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to the ultimate cup winners.
More just recently, the Greater Manchester attire have actually been adapting to life under brand-new supervisor McNulty after long-serving manager Dave Challinor left in the summertime following their playoff last defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
The Hatters are wanting to go back to the 2nd tier for the very first time considering that 2002 and, with a long season still ahead, will be identified to keep their promo aspirations on track while preventing an undesirable cup exit this weekend.
Cray Wanderers FA Cup kind:
Stockport County kind (all competitors):
Group News
© Iconsport/ Adam Edwards/Alamy Live News
Ade Yussuff scored 2 of Cray’s 4 objectives in their newest getaway, and the striker, who has actually discovered the net 12 times this season, is anticipated to lead the line for the hosts on Sunday afternoon.
The Wands are likewise most likely to keep JJ Briggs in objective, while captain Frankie Raymond is anticipated to continue at full-back.
When it comes to going to Stockport County, McNulty might make wholesale modifications as his side prepare to deal with challengers who sit 111 league locations listed below them in the football pyramid.
The Hatters employer might pick to rest crucial gamers such as Jack Diamond and Kyle Woottonpossibly unlocking for teenage forward Che Gardner and French striker Mikael Mandron to include from the start.
Routine goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff might likewise give way for Luca Ashby-Hammond, who has actually included two times in the EFL Trophy this season.
Brad Hills and Kyron Gordon will, nevertheless, play no part in this weekend’s cup tie due to injury.
Cray Wanderers possible beginning lineup:
Briggs; Lema, Strachan, Morgan, Raymond; McLeod, Adaja, Ogunwamide, Hernandez; Yusuff, Ufuah
Stockport County possible beginning lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Jobe, O’Connell, Pye; Dacres-Cogley, Norwood, Fiorini, Ennis; Gardner, Mandron, Edun
We state: Cray Wanderers 0-5 Stockport County
While Sunday guarantees to be a historical celebration for among the nation’s earliest football clubs, we anticipate Stockport County to have far excessive quality for their non-league challengers.
The League One clothing boast among the most respected attacks in the English Football League, and we anticipate McNulty’s males to show the gulf in quality by protecting a comfy triumph and reserving their location in the next round.
For information analysis of the most likely outcomes, scorelines and more for this match please click on this link.
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