The Emirates FA Cup got underway this weekend with the extra preliminary round, bringing Step Four and Step Five clubs into the competition and putting the first pieces of prize money on the table.
Winning clubs at this stage receive £1,125, while the losing sides collect £375. For clubs operating at this level, that money is valuable in itself, but progression also keeps alive the prospect of another payday and another step towards the qualifying rounds proper.
Lincolnshire had a healthy number of clubs involved, and there were mixed fortunes across the county.
Boston Town progressed with a 2-1 victory away at Daventry Town, while Lincoln United won the all-Lincolnshire tie at Grantham Town 2-0. Bourne Town also made it through in convincing fashion, beating Grimsby Borough 3-0 away from home.
There was further success for Barton Town, who were involved in one of the games of the round. They won 7-3 at Deeping Rangers, scoring five times in the second half, with Albie Collier netting four. Bottesford Town were also among the goals, beating Aylestone Park 6-3.
Skegness Town were one of the Lincolnshire sides to bow out, losing 2-0 at home to Retford, while Grantham, Grimsby Borough and Deeping also saw their FA Cup campaigns end at the first hurdle.
That means Boston Town, Lincoln United, Bourne Town, Barton Town and Bottesford Town all move on to the preliminary round, each collecting £1,125 in prize money for their weekend’s work.
“Would you like to progress to the next round of the F.A. Cup?”
“Yes, please.”
“Done deal.” 🤝#TheWhites 🤍 | 📸 Ed Mayes Photography pic.twitter.com/uFV02zmpOv— Lincoln United FC (@LincolnUnited) August 8, 2026
Notable Results Elsewhere
There were some extraordinary scorelines around the country, with Willand Rovers recording the biggest win of the round by thrashing Wellington 9-0.
Corby Town beat FC Peterborough 7-1, while Erith Town came through another ten-goal game with a 7-3 victory at Steyning Town. Euxton Villa, Mulbarton Wanderers, North Greenford United, Laverstock & Ford and Barnstaple Town were all 6-0 winners, while Chasetown beat Coton Green 6-1.
One of the biggest stories came from SE Dons, who marked their first-ever appearance in the FA Cup with a 6-0 win away at Lancing. Aaron Watson scored a hat-trick as the club, who were playing Sunday league football only two years ago, booked a place in the preliminary round against Punjab United.
There was also a historic appearance for Sturminster Newton United, who returned to the FA Cup for the first time since 1878. Their first game in the competition for 148 years ended in a 2-0 defeat against Portland United, but simply being back in the tournament made it one of the most notable ties of the weekend.
The preliminary round now awaits the Lincolnshire clubs who survived, with another opportunity to progress and another layer of prize money on offer.
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