Lincolnshire will not host an FA Cup first-round tie this season after the county’s remaining representatives were all handed away draws.
It’s the first time since 2002/03 that no First Round proper tie will be played in Lincolnshire, although in 2011/12, none were drawn; replays brought matches for Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town.
This year, we’re not in the competition until the Third Round, meaning 2026 is the first calendar year since 1948 without an FA Cup tie of some sort for the Imps. However, Spalding United are in the first Round draw, and have the incentive of a trip to Plymouth Argyle if they can negotiate their fourth qualifying round replay against Alvechurch.
With City now in the Championship, the Imps will enter the competition at the third-round stage in January. That leaves the county’s first-round interest focused on two confirmed away ties and the possibility of a third, with matches scheduled for the weekend of 7 November.
Spalding United Could Face Plymouth Argyle
Spalding have been handed the prospect of a trip to Home Park, but must first overcome Alvechurch in tonight’s replay. The Tulips were held to a 2-2 draw on Saturday after their visitors recovered from two goals down, with a stoppage-time penalty keeping the tie alive.
The replay takes place in Worcestershire, where Spalding will look to secure their place in the first round proper against opponents from the division below. The Tulips are currently ninth in National League North, while Alvechurch sit sixth in Southern League Premier Central.
Victory would give Spalding an opportunity to test themselves against League One opposition, although the draw also means a lengthy journey for their supporters. Plymouth will host whichever side emerges from tonight’s replay.
Scunthorpe United Head To Port Vale
Scunthorpe United’s reward for beating Boston United in the fourth qualifying round is an away tie against Port Vale. Having ended the Pilgrims’ involvement in an all-Lincolnshire encounter, the Iron will now carry the county’s hopes into the first round proper.
There will be no home advantage for Scunthorpe as they attempt to extend their cup run. Their meeting with Vale is one of two confirmed first-round fixtures involving Lincolnshire clubs.
Grimsby Town Await Their Opponents
Grimsby Town also face an away assignment, although they must wait to discover their destination. The Mariners have been drawn against the winners of Gateshead’s tie with Stafford Rangers.
That leaves Grimsby supporters with two possible trips to consider, with the outstanding qualifying tie determining which club will host them. Whichever side progresses, there will be no first-round fixture at Blundell Park.
Elsewhere, Leicester City will visit Oxford City, while Peterborough United host Reading and Bradford City welcome Marine. For Lincolnshire supporters, however, Monday’s draw means any first-round cup adventure will involve travelling beyond the county boundary.
First Round Draw In Full
- Dover Athletic v Wealdstone
- Mansfield Town v Macclesfield/Anstey Nomads
- Huddersfield Town v Exeter City
- Luton Town v Chesham United/Forest Green Rovers
- Bristol Rovers v Cambridge United
- Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday
- Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers
- Leyton Orient v Harborough Town
- Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers
- MK Dons v Swindon Town
- Newport County v Walsall
- Bromley v Rotherham United
- Barnet v Tranmere Rovers
- Fleetwood Town v Rochdale
- Barnsley v Aldershot Town/Tadley Calleva
- Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted
- Chesterfield v Leatherhead/Yeovil Town
- Gillingham v Barrow/Gloucester City
- Bury/Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde
- Crewe Alexandra v AFC Wimbledon
- Oxford United v Stevenage
- Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
- Bedford Town/Cray Wanderers v Stockport County
- Port Vale v Scunthorpe United
- Cheltenham Town v FC Halifax Town
- Colchester United v Chorley/Worcester City
- Eastleigh v Shrewsbury Town
- Peterborough United v Reading
- Wimborne Town v Crawley Town
- Plymouth Argyle v Spalding United/Alvechurch
- Hornchurch v Blackpool
- Guiseley v Sutton United
- Gateshead/Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town
- Oxford City v Leicester City
- Bradford City v Marine
- York City v Northampton Town
- Altrincham/FC United of Manchester v Notts County
- Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic
- Carlisle United v Salford City
- Salisbury v Sholing
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