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  Five potential giant-killings in the FA Cup First Round Proper   Wimborne Town are one of several Non-League clubs hoping to upset EFL opposition The FA Cup First Round Proper draw was made on 19 October, throwing up some intriguing ties and giving Non-League clubs the chance to test themselves against Football League opposition. EFL clubs enter the competition at this stage, and while there are several all-Non-League ties guaranteeing lower-league representation in Round Two, the biggest stories could come from those hoping to upset the odds. There have been plenty of famous FA Cup shocks involving non-League sides over the years, and this season's draw has served up several fixtures where another upset could be on the cards. Here are five ties with the greatest potential for a giant-killing.   1.     1. Wimborne Town v Crawley Town The Southern Premier South side have been given a home tie against a side three leagues above in Crawley Town, b...
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The Non-League club fighting for their future From Wembley visits to the very brink of existence Ten years ago, Lowestoft Town were playing in the National League North, beating the likes of Stockport County before being relegated to Step 3 on goal difference. The Trawler Boys have also played at Wembley – losing 2-1 to Kirkham and Wesham in the 2008 FA Vase final. But as the club, geographically the most easterly in the country, approaches 140 years of existence, they find themselves in a precarious position, with significant debts jeopardising the club’s mere survival. “Lowestoft Town FC has a proud history, and is a hugely important part of the fabric of the community of Lowestoft itself”, a recent club statement read. “As we approach our 140th year, the club is seeking to renovate our ground to match modern standards. “We also have significant debts which have built up over the past few years, and they now threaten the very existence of the club. “Without urgent investment, the lon...
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Do artificial pitches give non-league clubs a competitive edge?   Dorking Wanderers' Meadowbank Stadium is one of many grounds in non-league with an artificial playing surface Across the non-league football pyramid, clubs play on a mixture of traditional grass pitches and modern artificial surfaces. Some clubs playing on artificial surfaces have significantly stronger home records than away, while others perform just as well – or even better – on the road. This investigation examines whether artificial pitches provide a competitive advantage, analysing the 2025/26 home and away records of 20 artificial-pitch clubs across five divisions, from Step 2 to Step 6 of the English football pyramid, using the following leagues in the analysis:   Step 2: Enterprise National League South Step 3: Isthmian League Premier Division Step 4: Isthmian League Division One North Step 5: Essex Senior League Step 6: Eastern Counties League Division One South   The Enter...
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