The Road to Wembley Heats Up as the FA Cup 2nd Round Fixtures are Announced

This article is about the FA Cup 2nd round draw that has recently happened with the Fixtures taking place between the 5th and 8th of December.

(Image credits to BCC Sport)

The magic of the FA Cup returns to action on the 5th of December as the 2nd round takes place. With the lower leagues dreaming of causing upsets to the higher league opponents that they may face. With each team dreaming of a place in the final at Wembley Stadium in May, this year's FA Cup is set to deliver many unforgettable moments from first goals, debuts and crucial penalty shots saved by Goalkeepers. 

The Upcoming fixtures: 

Salford City vs Leyton Orient - On the 5th of December, League 2 Salford City get ready to welcome League 1 Leyton Orient to the Peninsula Stadium for what is sure to be a thrilling 1st game of the FA Cup 2nd round. Salford City is coming off the back of a 1-1 draw with Lincoln City followed by them then going into a penalty shootout and winning 4-2. But for Leyton, they’ve qualified for the 2nd round due to a Tammaworth Own goal. 

MK Dons vs Oldham Athletic -  On Saturday, the 6th December, League 2 Milton Keynes Dons welcome League 2 Oldham Athletic in an all-round League 2 clash at Stadium MK with kick off at 3pm. Meanwhile  MK Dons coming off a 3-2 win over Colchester, who is also in League 2 and Oldham Athletic coming into this 2nd round tied with a 3-1 win over League 1 Northampton, it's sure to be a good game to watch.

Slough Town vs Macclesfield - On the 7th of December, South National League side Slough Town welcomes Macclesfield FC to the Arbour Park Stadium for a thrilling FA Cup clash after coming off a 2 -1 win over North National League side Altrincham. On the other hand, Macclesfield came into this game with a 6 -3 win over South National League side AFC Totton. 

Grimsby Town vs Wealdstone - On the 6th of December, League 2 side Grimsby Town face National League side Wealdstone at Blundell Park. However, Grimsby is coming into round 2 with a 3-1 win over National League side Ebsfleet United. Meanwhile, Wealdstone came into the 2nd round with a 1-0 win at home to National League side Southend.

Sutton United vs Shrewsbury Town -  On the 6th of December, National League side Sutton United welcome League 1 side Shrewsbury Town to Sutton Football Ground. The hosts, Sutton, are coming into this with a 2-1 win over National League side AFC Telford where as their competitors, Shrewsbury Town, are coming into the 2nd round with a 3-1 win over National League side South Shields.

Chelmsford vs Western - Super - Mare -  On the 6th of December, Chelmsford City welcomes Western Super Mare in an all-Southern National League tie to Melbourne Park Stadium with Chelmsford City coming into the tie off a 4-1 win over Braintree Town and Western Super Mare off a 2-1 win over Aldershot Town. 

Swindon Town vs Bolton Wanderers - On the 6th of December, League 2 Swindon welcomes League 1 Bolton Wanderers to the County Ground. Swindon entered the 2nd round off the back of a 2-1 win over League 1 side Rotherham, while Bolton entered the 2nd round with a 2-1 win over League 1 Huddersfield Town. 

Peterborough vs Barnsley - As the FA Cup fixtures continue on the 6th of December, League 1 Peterborough welcome League 1 Barnsley to the Western Homes Stadium. Peterborough ended up here as they had won 1-0 over League 1 side Cardiff City. But Barnsley are here in the 2nd round due to a 3-2 win over National League side York City with kick off at 3 pm.

Boreham Wood vs Newport County - On the 7th of December, National League side Boreham Wood welcome League 2 side Newport County to the Meadow Park Stadium. Boreham Wood came into the 2nd round back off a 3-0 win over League 2 side Crawley Town. But Newport came into this game with a 2 - 2 draw with League 2 side Gillingham, with the match ending their way with a 4-3 result from penalties. 

Fleetwood vs Luton Town - On the 6th of December, League 2 side Fleetwood hosts League 1 Luton Town at the Highbury Stadium. Hosts Fleetwood come into this with winning 2 -1 over another League 2 side, Barnet. But for the visitors, Luton hosted National League side Forest Green which they won 4-3.

Accrington Stanley vs Mansfield Town -  On the 6th December, League 2 Accrington Stanley hosted League 1 side Mansfield Town at the Crown Ground Stadium. Accrington Stanley came into this game off the back of a 2- 1 win over Northern National League side Gainsborough Trinity. Whereas Mansfield Town won 3-2 over League 2 side Harrogate Town.

Brackley vs Burton -  On the 8th December, National League side Brackley hosts League 1 side Burton and Albion at the St James Park Brackley stadium. After drawing 2 all at full-time and then winning 4-3 on penalties against League 2 Notts County, Burton will have a harder challenge than the round before, where they won 6 -0 over South National League side St Albans City. 

Blackpool vs Carlisle -  On the 7th December, League 1 side Blackpool hosted National League Carlisle. Blackpool got into the 2nd round after a 1-0 win against Sunscorp United. Whereas Carsilie, the visitors, came off a 2-3 win over league 1 side Reading.

Gateshead vs Walsall - On the 7th December, National League side Gateshead United host League 2 side Walsall at the Gateshead International Stadium. Gateshead came into the 2nd round with a 2-0 win over League 1 side AFC Wimbledon. League 2 side Walsall came into this game with a 3-0 win over National League side Eastleigh. 

Cheltenham vs Buxton - On the 6th December, League 2 side Cheltenham hosts North National League side Buxton at the Ev Charger Ports Stadium, with Cheltenham coming into this round with a 1-0 win over League 1 side Bradford City and Buxton coming into this with a 2-1 win over National League side Chatham Town.

Chesterfield vs Doncaster Rovers - On the 6th December, League 2 Chesterfield host League 1 side Doncaster Rovers at the SMH Group Stadium who came into this with a 1-0 over League 1 Stevenage whereas Doncaster Rovers had won 2-1 over also 1 league side Crewe Alexandra.

Port Vale vs Bristol Rovers - Finally, in the FA Cup 2nd round draw, League 2 side Port Vale hosts League 1 side Bristol Rovers at the Vale Park Stadium. But coming into this Port vale won 5-1 over North National League Malden and Tiptree whereas Bristol Rovers came into the game with a 2-1 win over League 2 side Bromley. 

Article written by Elsie Nash