FA Cup non-league upsets: Altrincham and Stafford target league scalps

Altrincham and Stafford Rangers will chase FA Cup non-league upsets this weekend after Oxford City’s challenge against Leicester City ended in a spirited 4-2 defeat on Friday night.

National League side Altrincham host League One Notts County on Saturday 7 November, while eighth-tier Stafford welcome League Two Grimsby Town on Sunday. Both ties will be televised, giving the hosts a national stage on which to pursue a place in round two.

Oxford twice brought themselves back into contention against Leicester, but the 2021 winners eventually progressed. The focus now turns to two more grounds where visiting league clubs can expect a demanding afternoon.

FA Cup non-league upsets: Altrincham chase another famous win

Altrincham have beaten 17 Football League opponents in the competition, more than any other club that has spent its entire existence outside the league, according to BBC Sport’s look at their giant-killing history.

Their most recent such victory came against Barnsley in 2015. Their outstanding result remains the 1986 win away at Birmingham City, who were then a top-flight side.

Neil Gibson’s current team are seventh in the National League and pursuing promotion, but Saturday offers a chance to add another cup achievement. Five members of the squad have previously played for Notts County.

Gibson also has his own connection to the fixture: he played for Southport when they knocked County out of the competition 24 years ago.

“We have a real opportunity,” Gibson told BBC Sport. “You only remember these days if you come out on the right side of the result.”

Analysis: Altrincham’s history adds atmosphere rather than a guarantee. Their immediate task is to turn home advantage into a competitive performance against opponents two divisions above them.

Stafford Rangers face four-division gap against Grimsby

Stafford have already produced an emphatic qualifying result, beating Gateshead 5-0 in a replay to earn their first-round opportunity.

Now Grimsby visit Marston Road, also known as the Stan Robinson Stadium. The League Two side are four divisions above Stafford, who play in the Northern Premier League West.

Striker Darrhyl Mason joined from Avro in the summer and believes the home support can make another difference after the Gateshead win.

“The return leg at our place was electric. Marston Road was bouncing,” he said in Football Muse’s interview carried by LiveScore.

Grimsby know what it takes to upset more illustrious opposition after knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup last season. On Sunday, they will be the league club trying to prevent another underdog story.

Oxford City push Leicester before losing 4-2

Friday’s tie showed how quickly a first-round game can change. Louis Page put Leicester ahead after 16 minutes, only for Scott Pollock to equalise directly from a corner in the 31st.

Emil Riis restored Leicester’s lead after 53 minutes and Kamari Doyle made it 3-1 six minutes later. Josh Ashby then scored in the 62nd minute to bring Oxford back within one goal.

Tom Watson finally settled the contest in the 82nd minute. Oxford’s official match report records a crowd of 3,462 for the six-goal tie.

Leicester progressed, but Oxford’s two responses ensured the visitors had to work for their place in the second round.

FA Cup first-round kick-off times and TV coverage

Fixture	Date	UK kick-off	Live coverage
Altrincham v Notts County	Saturday 7 November	5.30pm	BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max
Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town	Sunday 8 November	Noon	TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max

Altrincham’s broadcast announcement confirms TNT coverage begins at 5pm, followed by BBC coverage at 5.15pm. The Northern Premier League has confirmed Stafford’s noon kick-off and television arrangements.

Follow the weekend’s other matches through dave.sport’s football coverage.