Hallam and Parkgate look for cup upsets

THERE are some intriguing ties in this weekend's FA Cup first qualifying round.

Hallam and Parkgate will both be looking to cause upsets against higher league opponents, while Gary Marrow takes his Stocksbridge Park Steels to former club Frickley.

A month into the season and on-form Hallam will be playing their first home game when they take on UniBond Division One North high fliers Woodley Sports.

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The Blues have played eight away games on the bounce including cup victories at Nelson and Emley, two ties which should have also been played at home but had to be switched due to cricket.

However, it seems not to have had a detrimental effect with Hallam having lost only once in those eight games of which they are unbeaten in the last six of them.

Home form was poor last season but boss Darren Bland will be hoping they can carry their good start over to Sandygate Road but they will be without new signing Scott Bates, who is cup tied. Woodley go into the tie unbeaten in five.

Stocksbridge have injury worries ahead of their tie at Frickley where Steels boss Marrow enjoyed two spells.

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Ian Richards and Ben Walker picked up injuries in the 2-1 home defeat by Grantham, while Jamie Vardy remains a doubt with an ankle injury picked up at Kidsgrove.

Despite Frickley being a division higher, Steels are likely to start slight favourites with Frickley bottom of the Premier and without a win in eight games, while Steels have lost once in six.

Having accounted for Alsager in the last round, Parkgate will be gunning for another UniBond League scalp at Colwyn Bay.

The Steelmen returned to form with a 3-1 win at Eccleshill in the last outing but will start massive underdogs against the Welsh side unbeaten in seven .

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After the giant killing of Rossendale, Dinnington will fancy their chances of progressing when they host Northern League Two side Penrith.

Worksop entertain fellow UniBond Premier side Kendal where they will be looking towards the FA Cup to kick-start their campaign.

Tigers have not won since the opening day of the season at Marine and have yet to win at home this season after being held to a goalless draw by Ilkeston Town on Tuesday.

Full-back Steve Nicholson looks set to miss out with an ankle ligament injury but striker Stuart Copnell could return to the starting line-up.

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Elsewhere, Buxton make the short trip to face Leek Town as they look to make it three without defeat following a home win over Prescot Cables and a goalless draw at Frickley over the past week. While Matlock Town will be aiming to make it four wins from five at First Division Carlton Town by bouncing back from Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Witton Albion.

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