FA Cup Draw – South Shields face Marske as Ashington travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels
Northern League Ashington AFC provided the shock of the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup when the defeated National League North side Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-1 at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.
They have been rewarded with a trip to South Yorkshire as they have been drawn against Jamie Vardy’s former club Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Stocksbridge play in the Northern Premier Division East alongside North East sides Shildon, Consett, Hebburn Town, Stockton Town and North Shields.
Despite the gap in divisions, Ashington have had more recent experience at this stage than their opponents as the last time Ashington reached this round they saw off Guiseley to reach the Fourth Qualifying Round, Steels haven’t gotten that far in 19 years.
Fresh off of their recent upset, there’s no reason The Colliers can’t dream of getting just one win away from the first round proper.
Elsewhere, an all North East clash including sides from the Northern Premier Division was drawn.
Top of the table South Shields will host fourth placed Marske United after they bested Shildon and Whitby Town respectively.
National League North sides entered the fray in the Second Qualifying Round with Darlington and Blyth Spartans surviving the first test although the same could not be said for Spennymoor Town who have parted ways with managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morely following their exit to Clitheroe.
Darlington will travel to Hyde United while Blyth Spartans look forward to a trip to either Liversedge or Chorley as they require a replay.
The fixtures for the Third Qualifying Round will take place the weekend of Saturday October 1st with the winners taking £5,625 in prize money and the losers £1,875.
The full draw is below.
