BBC to broadcast Cray Wanderers v Stockport and Altrincham v Notts County in FA Cup first round
The BBC will televise two FA Cup first-round matches next month: National League side Altrincham host former winners Notts County at Moss Lane on Saturday, 7 November (17:15 GMT, BBC Two/iPlayer), while seventh-tier Cray Wanderers welcome League One leaders Stockport County on Sunday, 8 November (14:15 GMT, BBC 2/iPlayer). Moss Lane will stage Altrincham's attempt to cause an 18th FA Cup upset against a league side.
Altrincham, commonly referred to as Alty, reached this stage as a National League club and hold the record for most wins over league opposition by a team that has never played in the Football League, with 17 such victories. Cray Wanderers, based in Bromley and competing in the Isthmian League, are making their first appearance at this stage of the competition after progressing via a replay win over Bedford Town.
Cray reached the first round by drawing 2-2 with Bedford Town and then winning the replay 4-3 on penalties. The club is recognised as London's oldest football club and predates the inaugural FA Cup, which was first played in 1872. Stockport County are described in the coverage as League One leaders, who will travel to face Cray on Sunday.
Notts County are identified as Football League founder members from 1888 and as winners of the FA Cup in 1894; they were eliminated at this stage last year on penalties to Brackley. The BBC schedule names Jason Mohammad as presenter for Saturday's coverage and Alex Scott as host on Sunday from Cray.
A comprehensive highlights programme will be broadcast on Sunday, 8 November at 17:10 GMT on BBC 2/iPlayer, and all first-round goals will be made available across BBC digital platforms, including the BBC Sport website and app. The article notes that four sides have reached round one for the first time.
The other six televised first-round ties will be shown on TNT/HBO Max: Friday, 6 Nov – Oxford City v Leicester City (19:45 GMT); Saturday, 7 Nov – Peterborough United v Reading (20:00 GMT); Sunday, 8 Nov – Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town (12:00 GMT), Wimborne Town v Crawley Town (15:00 GMT), Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday (17.15 GMT).
Other reported first-round results listed in the coverage include Forest Green Rovers 5-0 Chesham United, Tadley Calleva 2-6 Aldershot Town and United of Manchester 2-6 Altrincham, alongside the Cray Wanderers 2-2 Bedford Town (Cray won 4-3 on penalties).
The second-round draw will take place before the Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted Town tie on Monday, 9 November, with that match scheduled for 19:30 GMT.
