Our exclusive Match Preview for only our third Emirates FA Cup game.
The Magic of the FA Cup
Widely regarded as the most magical competition in the world due to its huge upsets, dramatic moments and last-minute winners.
The magic of the cup has failed to descend on Blyth Town in our first three games in the competition, with the furthest round we have been in being the Preliminary Round.
Blyth will be hoping to change that as we begin our FA Cup campaign at the J Denham Metals Stadium, taking on fellow Northern League Division 1 side Shildon AFC.
The Archives
Tow Law Town vs Blyth Town | 24/25 Extra Preliminary Round
In 24/25, our debut FA Cup campaign set sail with Blyth visiting Ironworks Road to take on “The Lawyers” Tow Law Town, at the time managed by Scott Nicholas. Tow Law were embarking on a disastrous season, having eventually suffered relegation.
Blyth made two visits to Ironworks Road, with both ending in victory. The first came in the summer of 2024, where goals from Slater x2 and Johnson marked a historic first FA Cup win in the club’s history.
Blyth Town vs Birtley Town | 24/25 Preliminary Round
The visitors to Gateway Park in the next round were Birtley Town, who knocked Blyth out and ended the dream start to our FA Cup campaign. Goals from Turnbull and Heslop would prove to be the difference. Speaking after the game, Blyth manager Michael Connor was frustrated by the match officials’ decisions and claimed they knocked Blyth out of the cup.
Blyth Town vs Horden CW | 25/26 Extra Preliminary Round
Blyth returned to FA Cup action in the 25/26 season, with the draw being a home tie against Northern League Division 1 newbies Horden CW. The game was the first competitive game since Blyth’s promotion to the NPL East, another historic moment in the club’s history. Horden arrived at Gateway Park full of confidence themselves, having gained promotion from Northern League Division 2.
Horden progressed to the Preliminary Round after a 2-0 victory, with two goals in quick succession coming from Angus and Campbell. A lengthy delay due to a head injury to Horden’s goalkeeper ultimately broke Blyth’s rhythm, and any hope of a comeback was crushed. Ultimately, the result would be a disappointing start to a disappointing season for the Town.
The Road Ahead
The winner of the tie between Shildon and Blyth Town will face either newly promoted Northern League side Yarm & Eaglescliffe or newly promoted NPL East side West Auckland Town.
Get to Know the Opponents
“The Railwaymen” have a rich history in the FA Cup. The club, which was established in 1890, made their first appearance in the FA Cup in the early 1900s, and then the County Durham side went on to make history.
A replay win at York City in 1927/28 saw the club reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time. In the First Round, they have also played Brentford, Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United, and Oldham Athletic three times. The last time the club reached the First Round was in 2003/04, losing out 7-2 against Notts County. The club also reached the Second Round in 1936/37 against Dartford.
Last season, Shildon made it to the 1st Qualifying Round before losing to Witton Albion. The fixture was played at a neutral ground, Crook Town’s Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground, due to the work to install the 3G at J Denham Metals Stadium running into the summer.
Cup Statistics
Behind every FA Cup story are numbers. But sometimes, one number matters more than all the rest: the number of teams that will go through.
History in the Making — Michael Connor’s Words
“For me, any FA Cup tie is special and will always be, not just for me but for this club. It’s not just about the endless possibilities, but it shows how far this great club has come. The tie itself is a difficult one. On their day, Shildon can be a match for anyone at this level, as they proved against the big spenders Bishop Auckland last week. So we will do our homework on them, and if we show the grit and determination that we have done so far and carry a bit of luck, we will come through this one and continue the journey.”
Inside the Dressing Room — Andy Burn’s Words
What does the FA Cup mean to you?
The FA Cup is a competition I love playing in. It’s the chance for the smaller clubs to give themselves the opportunities of creating memories and good days out for both players and fans.
How important is this game?
This game is very important for many reasons. It’s a chance to progress in the competition but also allow us to continue our impressive start to the season.
What are you expecting from the opposition?
The opposition have always been a top side. They will definitely make it difficult for us. They have been in and around promotion the last couple of years and been unlucky not to go up. It will definitely be a tough game.
What would progressing mean to the club?
Progressing in the competition is an aim for us as players but also as a club. The FA Cup allows lower league clubs to get a bit of money in to become sustainable and progress as a club.
More Than a Cup Tie
The FA Cup is more than a cup game. It’s a chance to bring local clubs to one of the most prestigious cup competitions in the sport. The prize fund for some clubs is crucial in their season ahead, and with Blyth and Shildon currently head-to-head for the top spot, this game so early on in the season can be crucial for the race.
For 90 minutes, 22 players will battle for a place in the next round. But for everyone connected with Blyth Town, this is about much more than a cup.
✍️ Dylan Bowmaker