Likely Upsets In The FA Cup First Round

The FA Cup continues in earnest this weekend with a full four days dedicated to the first round of the prestigious competition. Game one sees small-town club Warrington Town take on League Two`s Exeter City tomorrow (Friday 7th November, 7:55) though an upset looks unlikely.

Last season the Northern Premier League Division One North side lost to Ramsbottom United in the play-off final for the chance to fight it out in the regionalised Premier Division. After the near miss, the club sit in 17th place with 14 points from 11 games. The team have, however, a number of games in hand over all other teams in the league, something that should see them shoot up the table once their cup exploits are done and dusted.

Under the guidance of boss Paul Tisdale, Exeter City have risen to 11th place in League Two, and are currently trying to extend an impressive four-game winning run. The Devon club earned a one-all draw away at promotion favourites Luton Town last time out subsequent to beating two top half sides in Wycombe and Morecambe and grabbing another draw at Southend United. As a result, the Grecians are the 2/5 (Numerous) favourites for their FA Cup tie whilst an unlikely home win is 17/2 (Betvictor). It`s 4/1 (bet365, Betvictor, Skybet, Stan James) for Town to force a replay. Who then are the potential banana skins for the bigger clubs in the competition`s remaining fixtures? The first game that catches the eye is Conference side Dover`s home clash against Morecambe, again of League Two.

Despite a fine start to their league campaign that saw them win four of their initial five League Two games, Jim Bentley`s Morecambe have begun their slide down the table, losing three times in October and failing to secure a win in their last three outings.

Add to this the energy-sapping eleven hour round trip to the Kent coast and the fact that the Lancashire side will be using their fifth goalkeeper of the season on Saturday, things don`t look good for the Shrimps.

First-choice shot-stopper Barry Roche is out for the remainder of the season after playing 17 times with a niggling hip injury whilst second-string goalie Andreas Arestidou picked up an ankle injury during training. Whilst on-loan play-off final hero Scott Davies has been barred from playing by his parent club Fleetwood Town, 44-year-old coach Lee Jones is not fancied don his gloves once again, so Bentley is scouring the loan market for their man between the sticks.

Dover are 15/8 with ladbrokes to exploit their opponent`s torrid time, whilst Morecambe are 31/20 (Betvictor) to avoid an upset. A draw can be backed at 5/2 with bet365, boylesports and Stan James.

League Two Carlisle United travel to League One Peterborough United on Saturday with hopes of giving their fledgling confidence an extra boost under new manager Keith Curle.

Things look good for the Cumbrians with their opponents sliding from the top of the third tier of English football to outside of the play-off positions. Darren Ferguson`s United are without a win in three, losing out by a single goal in all three encounters.

Curle`s appointment at Carlisle has seen the newly-relegated club serge from the foot of the table and four points from safety to being outside the relegation zone and three points to the good. A massive six to one (Numerous) says the border city can`t take advantage of the League One`s club`s poor form, Peterborough being 8/15 for the win with most bookmakers.

Other outsiders to follow over the weekend include Bristol Rovers who are 5/2 (Betvictor) to take down League Two strugglers Tranmere Rovers, FA Trophy finalists Gosport Borough (6/1 - Numerous) who will be looking to overturn Colchester United of League One at home and Accrington Stanley who have picked up where they left off under returning manager John Coleman. They are 9/2 with ladbrokes to see off Notts County. Gosport`s fixture against Colchester and Accrington vs Notts County take place on Sunday 9th November at 2PM. All other games start at 3PM on Saturday 8th unless otherwise stated.

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06/11/2014     © Frixo 2026