LET'S AVOID THE SHOCK-TROOPS!

EFL sides will need to be on their guard when hungry NonLeague outfits go in search of shocks in the FA Cup first round in two weeks’ time

- John Lyons

Last Sunday’s draw threw up a host of mouthwatering ties, including Paul Cook’s Chesterfield – top of the National League – hosting his former club Portsmouth, who have been setting the pace in League One.

Not surprisingly, that tie has been selected for live coverage. It has been pencilled in for 12.15pm on Sunday, November 5 on ITV1.

The round kicks off with surprise package Sheppey United hosting League Two Walsall on Friday, November 3 (7.45pm on ITV4).

Sheppey – who play in the Isthmian South East, the fourth tier of Non-League – beat Isthmian Premier Billericay on penalties in a fourth qualifying round replay in midweek to line up their showdown with the Saddlers.

Never before in the 130-year history of football on the island has a team from Sheppey reached the first round proper of the world’s most famous cup competition – not a bad achievement for a set-up which didn’t even exist just nine years ago.

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