With the first-round draw completed, I have singled out seven stand-out ties as the 2025-26 FA Cup properly commences.
Once the Fourth Qualifying Round replays are completed, 80 teams will do battle in the first round across 40 ties to move one step closer towards a potential third-round glamour tie against a Premier League club.
Although the draw wasn’t the most sexiest in terms of ties thrown up, I have managed to pick out seven stand-out ties that you should keep an eye out for come first-round weekend of 31 October – 3 November.
Spennymoor Town vs Barrow
National League North’s Spennymoor Town are making just their second appearance at this stage of the FA Cup and this time are at home, which will be a huge positive for them after they lost 3-2 away at MK Dons at this stage of the competition in 2016-17 season.
Barrow however are a re-established League Two team but have won just twice on the road this season and aren’t far from the drop, which could either spur them on to go on a cup run or see them opt to focus on league survival and be vulnerable to a cupset.
South Shields vs Shrewsbury
Just 26.3 miles from Spennymoor, National League North leaders – South Shields will fancy causing their own giant killing as they play host to League Two strugglers, Shrewsbury.
South Shields are flying high at the top of the National League North on goal difference from Scarborough Athletic and are yet to lose this season, so will be keen to come into this home tie with that record intact knowing that this tie is very winnable if play their best football.
Shrewsbury on the other hand are already looking locked in a fourth-tier relegation battle such is their struggles for goals amidst a fragile defence, so their priority might lie elsewhere in securing their EFL status rather than a cup run unless they feel that a run will benefit them momentum wise.
Tamworth vs Leyton Orient
Having enjoyed a cup run which saw them lose 3-0 after extra time at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the third round last season, Tamworth will relish this tie against Leyton Orient who lost the League One Play-Off Final last season.
Orient however haven’t hit those heights this season and have won just three away matches so this trip to The Lamb Ground could be a potential banana skin if not careful.
Port Vale vs Maldon & Tiptree
Maldon & Tiptree might be the lowest-ranked team left in the competition but with replays now abolished from this round onwards, the eighth-tier club can go to League One’s Port Vale as minnows knowing that they have one shot at producing a giant killing.
Boreham Wood vs Crawley
Whilst Boreham Wood have settled nicely back into the National League and lie fifth in the table, Crawley haven’t adjusted well back to life in League Two and sit one point above the drop in 21st position.
If both teams continue on their oppositional trajectories between now and their meeting, I do think that we could see a cracker and potential cupset if Crawley can’t find some form and momentum quickly.
Bromley vs Bristol Rovers
Whilst this tie isn’t exactly the most excitable for neutral fans as an all League Two tie, there is a nice potential story if look beyond the surface because Bromley are yet to beat a league team in the FA Cup.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens however are yet to lose at home within 90 minutes this season across all competitions, which could be a real confidence boost if they can beat MK Dons in their league clash on 25 October.
This fixture also will be the first FA Cup tie at Copperjax Stadium to be played with the rebuilt East Stand in place, whilst the memories of last season’s historic run to the third round should motivate Bromley to go on another cup run here.
Bristol Rovers though have progressed from this stage in the last six seasons (of which they reached the third round in five of those six campaigns), so will not want to see that FA Cup form end early which should make for a great tie if both managers name a strong line-up.
Eastleigh vs Walsall
Although there is just one division between these two teams and Eastleigh sit 13th in the National League, whilst Walsall are top of League Two, this could be an unlikely FA Cup cupset if Walsall field a weak team.
You however do have to feel that Walsall should win this tie on form but the FA Cup does throw up a surprise now and then, so don’t discount this tie for a shock.