By Steven Oldham Cover photo: James Lobley Atherton LR vs Atherton Collieries
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Atherton LR travel to Macclesfield
Atherton LR‘s reward for thrashing local rivals Atherton Collieries 5-2 in the FA Cup first qualifying round is a trip to National League North side Macclesfield.
The North West Counties Premier Division side will need to bridge a gap of three divisions if they’re to pull off another upset – with 974 in place to see them triumph in the first FA Cup game between the two neighbours.
Goals from Owen Green, Harvey Sample, Elvis Amoakwa, Joe Bacon and Kieran Alley allowed in-form LR to progress at the expense of their higher-ranked rivals in the Flat Cap Derby.
READ MORE: NWC: Atherton LR net 6 to wrap up title
Should LR pull off another upset, they will match their best performance in the competition after reaching the third qualifying round in the 1996-97 season.
No caption needed…
— Atherton Laburnum Rovers FC (@AthertonLRFC) September 1, 2025
We'll let @AlleyKieran do the talking for this one 😏
Sponsored by David Fowler#OneOfAKind pic.twitter.com/aJ90Qo6WXS
Chadderton to face Rebels
Chadderton will take the short trip to FC United of Manchester in the second qualifying round after causing an upset of their own by knocking out Step 4 Bishop Auckland.
The Oldham side were 3-1 winners in the North East on Saturday thanks to two Lewis Byrne goals and one from Matty Barlow. Meanwhile, FC United avoided a potential banana skin with a comfortable 4-0 win at Step 5 Rossington Main.
Jordan Buckley’s hat-trick and an Adam Le Fondre penalty sent Mark Beesley’s men through. Chadderton have already equaled their best performance in this competition by getting this far.
Plum draw for Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic will have home comforts against Step 2 Chester in the next round after upstaging struggling Workington 3-2 on Saturday.
Celtic’s positive start to the season continued with goals from Jack Irlam, Benni Smales-Braithwaite and Ellis Horan sent the Tameside club through to the second qualifying round for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The defeated Cumbrian side are yet to win in any competition this season.
Chester made it to the fourth qualifying round last season before exiting to divisional rivals Scarborough Athletic.
Two more angles from our pitch side cameras of THAT goal from Saturday 🤩@bennismales11 | Stalybridge Post Office 🤝 pic.twitter.com/OdcghbeT7m
— Stalybridge Celtic (@StalyCelticFC) August 31, 2025
Home draw for Trafford
Trafford will play the winners of the Nantwich Town vs Avro replay after knocking out the higher-ranked Stockton Town 2-1 on Saturday. All three sides play in the NPL West.
Karl Marginson’s side conceded first, but an injury time winner from Kingston Fligg sent the Shawe View side through after Mackenna Bradshaw pulled them back into it midway through the second half.
Avro’s Jack Morrow saved a replay for his side, with Nantwich opening the scoring through Byron Harrison after just eight SECONDS. Should the Oldham side win the replay, this run will become their most successful in their history.
Lancashire clash at Mill Farm
Bamber Bridge are on their travels again after beating Warrington Town 3-0 – this time to take on Step 2 AFC Fylde.
Goals from Jack Baxter, Kofi Moore and Michael Potts sent Jamie Milligan’s side through at the expense of their Step 3 rivals, who now haven’t won an FA Cup game in three seasons.
AFC Fylde have started their National League North campaign in strong form, winning five of their opening six matches.
🎤 Jamie Milligan gave us his thoughts on todays big win vs Warrington Town#UpTheBrig pic.twitter.com/TMbtrHTxg6
— Bamber Bridge FC (@BamberBridgeFC) August 30, 2025
Runcorn Linnets aim to avoid upset
It’s another trip to a Step 5 club for Runcorn Linnets, who will face Yorkshire side Pickering Town.
The Cheshire side knocked out North West Counties Premier side West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-0 on Saturday with goals from Scott Bakkor and Naim Arsan.
Linnets can equal their best performance in the competition should they win this game, having made the third qualifying round in the 2013-14 season. Pickering have already knocked out Step 4 opposition in this run in the form of NPL East side Redcar Athletic.
FA Cup second qualifying round draw in brief
National League North rivals Radcliffe and Southport will play each other in the second qualifying round. Both sides made the third qualifying round last year, so something will have to give here.
Congleton Town will face a stern test in National League North side Chorley after receiving a bye into the second qualifying round. They were initially scheduled to play Widnes before the club folded ahead of the season starting.
Curzon Ashton enter the competition at this stage with a home draw against Step 3 Hebburn Town. Mark Bradshaw’s side will be looking to make at least the first round proper for a fourth consecutive year.
Marine enter the competition with a long trip and potential banana skin fixture at Newcastle Blue Star. With three divisions separating the sides, it should be a contender for live coverage on the BBC.
Buxton get their campaign underway with a home game against Redditch United. John McGrath will expect to at least equal their performance in the competition last season with a place in the third qualifying round.
The winner of the Hyde United vs Prescot Cables replay will host another NPL Premier side in Whitby Town. Cables memorably rescued a replay deep into added time in a 2-2 draw, with goalkeeper Calvin Hare netting the equaliser.
HIGHLIGHT – CALVIN HARE (96’)
— Prescot Cables FC (@PrescotCablesFC) August 31, 2025
Grogan’s header falls to goalkeeper Calvin Hare who volleys with his left foot to earn Cables a Tuesday night @EmiratesFACup replay!
Sponsored by @AswSolicitors pic.twitter.com/DdFxuT29la
Should Bootle win their replay against Silsden, their reward will be a home tie against National League North side Darlington. Witton Albion will face another trip north east at Morpeth Town if they avoid an upset in their replay at Shildon.
Ashton United need to see off Step 4 Hallam in their replay to secure a home tie with National League North side Scarborough Athletic.
FA Cup second qualifying round dates and prize money
FA Cup second qualifying round games will take place on the weekend of September 13th. Replays will be needed if games are level after 90 minutes.
Winners in these games will collect £2,250 in prize money while losing clubs will receive £750 for making it this far.
FA Cup first qualifying round results in brief
- Hebburn Town 1-0 Longridge Town
- Kendal Town 0-1 Dunston UTS
- Lancaster City 1-2 Whitby Town
- Warrington Rylands 1-4 Guiseley
- West Auckland Town 3-1 Wythenshawe
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