Felixstowe & Walton United FC

Seasiders visit Woodford on Saturday in First Qualifying Round

The Seasiders head to the foot of the M11 and the Ashton playing fields to face Woodford with both sides looking to progress to Mondays Second Qualifying Round draw. If the scores are level after 90 minutes the tie will go to a replay on Tuesday evening at the AGL Arena.

Woodford are flying high at the top of Essex Senior League (Step 5) with 5 wins and a draw from their opening 6 fixtures, including a 5-0 derby win at Buckhurst Hill on Bank Holiday Monday. They've also progressed in the FA Vase with a 6-2 victory last weekend at home to Park View and have knocked out 2 Step 4 sides in the FA Cup! (Hertford Town 4-1 and Bowers & Pitsea after a replay). Top scorer is Luke Parrot with 9 goals in 9 games, including a hat trick against Bowers.

The Seasiders are, of course, also unbeaten but will be keen to get back to winning ways after seeing a 2 goal lead evaporate on Monday at Stowmarket. We'll be looking to make the Second Qualifying Round for only the 3rd time in our history (as F&WUFC), the best run coming in 2016/17 when the dream was ended at Beaconsfield in the Third Qualifying Round, one stage before the National League teams enter, and two stages before the EFL teams enter. Previously, we lost to North Greenford after a replay in 2010/11.

As Felixstowe Town, the 2nd Qualifying Round was reached on 4 occasions, albeit with less teams entering at that time so less prior rounds. In 1990/91 a defeat away at Clapton meant the Town team missed out on a plum tie versus non-league giants Barnet.

For 'The Woods', their best run came in 1986/87 with a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Orient in the First round Proper.

The winners of the First Qualifying Round tie pick up £2250, on top of the £1444 won in the Preliminary Round. The losers lick their wounds for another year and collect £750 consolation prize money.

Away coach travel is SOLD OUT. Seats are £15 and we depart the AGL Arena at 10.45am. 

Author- Chris Daynes