Four sides reach round one of FA Cup for first time

AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Berkhamsted, Plymouth Parkway and Sholing have reached the FA Cup first round for the first time, after wins in qualifying. The results matter because they give lower-tier clubs a place in the main draw, where they could face professional League One or League Two sides.

Rushden & Diamonds, an eighth-tier club founded in 2011, beat National League North side Morecambe 2-1 after five qualifying wins. Seventh-tier Berkhamsted came from behind to defeat Southend by the same score, while Tadley Calleva drew 2-2 with Aldershot and will play a replay; several other clubs also earned replays. Saturday’s winners receive £9,375, and first-round matches are scheduled for the weekend of 7 November.