FA Cup: First Qualifying Round

This week, we at Some People Are On The Pitch have been focusing heavily on the recent World Cup 2010 qualifiers. That's all well and good, but we've always prided ourselves on our ability to bring you a running buffet of stuff across the football spectrum.

To prove our point, we'd like to bring to your attention today's First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup (sponsored by E.On).

The preliminary rounds are out of the way and here begins the run-in to the First Round Proper when the League 1 and League 2 clubs join in.

Today there are a few notable ties you might want to keep an eye on. Remember Sutton United? You know, the Sutton United that knocked out Coventry City in the Third Round in 1989. Well they're at home to Cray Wanderers and are aiming to reach the First Round proper again this season. They've started well in their first few games, so a win could well be on the cards down at the Borough Sports Ground today.

There's a top-v-bottom clash at the Middlesex Stadium as Ryman League Division One North leaders East Thurrock take on Hillingdon Borough in their own back yard. Though the home side will be considered the underdogs, they'll feel they have a chance to pull off a surprise as East Thurrock have conceded five goals in their last two games.

Finally, the Police will be out in force today in East Molesey. They're not expecting any crowd trouble - they'll actually be playing. Yes, the Metropolitan Police take on Corby Town this afternoon, hoping to reach the First Round proper for only the fourth time in their 89-year history.

It's been fifteen years since they last got through the qualifiers, Crawley Town putting an end to that run. This season, they're unbeaten in six Ryman League Division One South fixtures but that form will be put to the test by Corby who are currently second in the British Gas Business Premier Division. If you're heading down to Imber Court this afternoon, expect an arresting 90 minutes of action to ensue...

Once again, ITV.com and ITVLocal.com are doing a sterling job of covering as much of the action as possible today. Here's a list of the matches they'll be covering in your part of the UK:

ITV.com
Sutton United V Cray Wanderers
Stewarts & Lloyds (Corby) v Croydon Athletic

Anglia
Cambridge City v Lowestoft

Border:
Aston United v Kendal Town (provisional/tbc)

Granada:
Buxton v Bootle

West:
Truro City v Yate

Central:
Hednesford v Atherstone

London:
Thamesmead v Great Wakering Rovers

Tyne Tees:
Ashington v Durham

Yorkshire:
Garforth Town v Ossett Town

Meridian:
Fleet Town v Cowes

Wales:
Poole Town v Merthyr Tydfil

Failing that, why not get along to your local match in person? Full details of all the fixtures can be found on the FA.com website.