FA CUP MAGIC STARTS FOR TOWN THIS SATURDAY

The early rounds of the FA Cup are usually played with the sun blazing down on the pitch in hot sweltering conditions but with the the masses of rain pouring down on and off the the last week supporters maybe best advised to pack an umbrella for the games this weekend

A total of six ESL teams, 13 SSML teams and all Ryman North teams (bar Leyton, who did not enter the competition and Grays Athletic who enter in the next round versus Windsor and Eton) are in action.

So, where are the shocks and giantkillings going to occur??

Two Zamaretto Central Division sides in Burnham and AFC Hayes face tough games versus SSML sides Tring Athletic and Chalfont St Peter. Both Athletic and The Saints have made storming starts to their league campaign's winning five out of five and will be looking to beat teams from the higher level.

Witham Town, top of the ESL albeit after two games, welcome Ryman North Ilford to Spa Road. The East London side don't travel well and with Witham very strong at home the cold end can see a shock on the cards in this one

Potters Bar Town who have lost 2 of 2 league games won't be relishing their trip to face United Counties League side Newport Pagnell Town. The Swans have been the early pace setters in the UCL winning 4 out of 4 league games scoring 17 goals in the process. They had an impressive 4-1 away win at Biggleswade United to reach this stage. The cold end expects a home win in this tie with Pagnell leading scorer Darren Dykes to hit the back of the net. He scored a hat-trick in the first 24 minutes of the league game versus Holbeach United last weekend.

There are numerous other interesting ties. At Mayesbrook Park there is a Ryman V ESL East London Derby between Barking and Redbridge. Another local derby will take place at Theobalds Lane when Spartan South Midlands Divsion One Cockfosters make the short trip to face Cheshunt. Fosters took Potters Bar Town to a replay in last season's competition.

The pick of Sunday's action comes at Silver Jubilee Park where ESL Bethnal Green United and SSML Kentish Town battle for the right to face a trip to the winners of the Harlow Town V Barton Rovers tie.

THIS WEEKEND'S FA CUP FIXTURE LIST FOR RYMAN NORTH, ESSEX SENIOR AND SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS CLUBS.

SATURDAY
AFC Sudbury          v Stamford
Barking              v Redbridge
Burnham              v Chalfont St Peter
Burnham Ramblers     v Haringey Borough
Cheshunt             v Cockfosters
Colney Heath         v FC Clacton
Crawley Green        v Harefield United
Daventry Town        v Needham Market
East Thurrock United v Waltham Abbey
Harlow Town          v Barton Rovers
Hitchin Town         v Ware
Leighton Town        v Heybridge Swifts
Maldon & Tiptree     v Hertford Town
Marlow               v London Colney
Newport Pagnell Town v Potters Bar Town
North Greenford      v Bowers & Pitsea
Oxhey Jets           v St Margaretsbury
Saffron Walden Town  v Great Wakering Rovers
Southend Manor       v Brentwood Town
Thamesmead Town      v Beckenham Town
Tring Athletic       v AFC Hayes
Uxbridge             v Tilbury
Waltham Forest       v Enfield Town
Wingate & Finchley   v Northwood
Witham Town          v Ilford
SUNDAY
Aylesbury United     v Eton Manor
Kentish Town         v Bethnal Green Utd
@ Silver Jubilee Park
Romford              v Beaconsfield SYCOB - 2pm