The FA Cup has now played through the first two qualifying rounds, with the exception of one fixture*, so I thought we could run through some of the standout moments and top performers before it all kicks off again next weekend. As usual, the competition is full of shocks and upsets with 43 matches being won by the team at a lower step in the non league pyramid.
*Lowestoft Town vs Haverhill Rovers are playing on Tuesday 30th August
In total, 421 matches have been played, with 1,376 goals being scored (739 at home and 637 away). Seven different sides have hit double figures in the competition so far, with three of those already exiting the competition:
FA Cup Top Team Scorers:
13 - Ashford Town Middx - In
13 - Worcester Raiders - In
12 - Newhaven - Out
11 - Sheppey United - In
10 - Leighton Town - Out
10 - Raynes Park Vale - Out
10 - Wincanton Town - Out
Also, it is worth pointing out that Wincanton Town are now the only side from Step 6 to make it through to next weeks First Qualifying Round, where they'll host Southern League (Div1 South) side, AFC Totton.
In regards to individual stats, Worcester Raiders forward, Jordan Murphy, heads the scoring charts with six goals to his name so far, with four other players one goal behind.
6 - Jordan Murphy (Worcester Raiders)
5 - Callum Laycock (Moneyfields)
5 - Cemal Ramadan (Bury Town)
5 - Connor Williams (Wincanton Town)
5 - Warren Mfula (Sheppey United)
4 - 11 Players on 4 Goals
Only one match in the competition so far has achieved an 11-goal haul, and that occurred when Leighton Town defeated Baldock Town 9-2 in the Extra Preliminary Round, with Leon Lobjoit and Lewis Toomey both hitting hat-tricks in that match. Sadly for Leighton, they departed in the next round when they were victims of the dreaded penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in their replay against Barking.
Newhaven are the only side to hit double fixtures in one match with their emphatic 10-0 victory over Canterbury City on the 10th August. Amazingly, this was a replay following a 1-1 draw in the Extra Preliminary Round. Lee Robinson was a hat-trick hero in that replay.
Ashford Town (Middx) currently lead the way in the biggest away win. This was achieved on their visit to Saltdean United in the opening weekend of the competition. There was also a three-goal haul on that day, with Ricky Johnson in fine form in front of goal.
Looking at the Preliminary Round in isolation, the biggest home win was recorded by Harborough Town as they beat Bottesford Town 6-1, with Nat Ansu scoring four, and the best performance on the road came from Workington as their trip to face West Allotment Celtic ended in a 7-0 victory.
With the First Qualifying Round starting next weekend, I'm sure there will be more shocks, more goals and plenty more FA Cup drama.
All fixtures, results and top scorer information can be found here: https://nonleaguehq.wixsite.com/nlhq/facup
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