The FA Cup adventure might just be starting for us today, but it began for a massive 400 clubs way back on the 11th of August as they took part in the Extra Preliminary Round of the competition, with Whitehaven at home to Shildon being just one of the 200 ties that took place. There was no cup joy for the West Cumbrians though as the County Durham outfit ran out comfortable 6-0 winners with goals from Sam Garvie (2), Ben Wood (2), Robert Briggs and Chris Hughes in front of 84 fans, that victory seeing Shildon take home the winners cheque of £1,000.
Next up then for Shildon on our Wembley trail were Guisborough Town at home in a Preliminary Round game that finished 1-1 at Dean Street. The tie, one of 166 to take place, seeing Adam Johnston put Shildon ahead before they denied themselves with a stoppage time Ross Gardner own goal. No such problems in the replay at Guisborough though as Shildon cruised to a hefty 6-0 victory with a Wood hat-trick and single strikes from Billy Greulich-Smith, Hughes and Danny Richmond at the King George V Stadium. Another £1,750 in the prize money kitty for Shildon then.
Into the First Qualifying Round and it was a trip to a place where Carlisle went in pre-season that was up next, that being the artificial playing surface of local neighbours Durham City. A change from a grass pitch didn’t bother Shildon though as they picked up another £3,000 in prize money with a 3-1 win. Lee Chapman (no, not the Leslie Ash one) and Greulich-Smith putting the visitors 2-0 up at half-time before a goal apiece was shared after the interval, with Jack Pounder netting for Durham, while Chris McCabe essentially settled the tie with a 73rd minute header for Shildon.
That match had been one of 116 to take place, but we were now down to just 80 matches at the Second Qualifying Round stage, despite the introduction of the Blue Square Bet North and South sides into the competition. It was one of those bigger sides that Shildon pulled out in the draw too as they faced Altrincham at home. The Robins though stamping their higher league authority all over the tie with a 3-0 win thanks to first-half goals from Damian Reeves (2) and James Lawrie in front of a healthy attendance of 280 as Alty took the winners cheque of £4,500 back to Cheshire.
Another away tie was then pulled out of the bag for Altrincham in the Third Round Qualifying, which consisted of 40 matches overall, as they faced another trip on the road to a side beneath them in the non-league pyramid, this time to Leek Town. The Staffordshire side keeping Alty at bay until the 70th minute when Reeves, who it should be noted has cracked in 82 goals in the 106 appearances of his Robins career, scored once more. Simon Richman then putting the tie out of sight for Leek with a goal a minute from time to give the visitors a 2-0 win and £7,500 in prize money in front of 962 spectators.
The last rung of the ladder came then before the First Round Proper as the Blue Square Bet Premier clubs joined the fray in 30 Fourth Round Qualifying ties, Alty though up against one of their own in Boston United in yet another away trip for the Robins. Mark Jones putting the Pilgrims 1-0 up early on before Altrincham fought back with three goals in the last 32 minutes from Lawrie, Jake Moult and Nicky Clee to grab a 3-1 victory in front of 1,200 fans at York Street.
That win made the Robins another £12,500 richer, but now they have the chance to better that with the £18,000 that sits on offer for the winners of the 40 First Round Proper ties. It’s going to have to be another away win to do it though having been drawn in a tough match at League Two play-off chasers Burton Albion. That won’t stop the Robins dreaming of further glory though as, like us all at this stage, they hope for a money-spinning Third Round Proper match. Or maybe even more.