FA Trophy Last 16 Preview - Saturday 10th February 2024

The FA Trophy is entering its critical stages as 16 teams are now left battling for glory. With only six National League sides left in the competition, those lower down the pyramid will be fancying their chances of a shock win. Here we preview all 16 teams left in the competition.

Bishops Stortford vs Coalville Town

The first of two meetings between two sides outside the National League as Bishop Stortford host Coalville Town.

Bishop Stortford:

League: National League North

Position: 24th

Manager: Steve Smith

Star Player: Kane Crichlow

Best FA Trophy Finish: Winners - 1981

Route to Last 16:

Second Round- 3-1 St Albans (H)

Third Round - 1-1 Ebbsfleet (A)- Won On Penalties

Fourth Round- 6-1 Aldershot (H)

Odds to win Trophy : 41.00

About the club:

After winning the Isthmian Premier League last season, The Blues faced the unfortunate news that they would placed in the National League North ahead of this season. While it made sense, it threatened to de-rail Bishop Stortford's season before it had even started, facing long journeys for the majority of away games.

Situated on the border of Hertfordshire and Essex, Bishop Stortford would face journeys to places such as Darlington and Blyth Spartans that would take over four hours - a massive strain financially and logistically for a semi-professional team in a regionalised league. This would explain their poor away form - picking up just five points and conceding 35 in just 15 games.

A surprise 6-1 battering of National League high-flyers Aldershot was sandwiched between eight straight National League North losses. With relegation a foregone conclusion, the Blues are turning to the Fa Trophy for a change of fortune- defeating two National League teams en route to the last 16.

Coalville Town

League: Southern League Central

Position: 12th

Manager:  Adam Stevens

Star Player:  Tim Berridge

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Last 16 - 2023/2024

Route to Last 16:

Third Qualifying Round: Royston Town 1-3 (A)

First Round: Alvechurch 0-1 (A)

Second Round: Boston United 1-1 (H) - Won On Penalties

Third Round: Walsall Wood 2-0 (H)

Fourth Round: Bath City 0-0 (A) - Won On Penalties

Odds to win Trophy : 41.00

About the club: 

After missing out on promotion by 3 goal difference and losing in the playoffs, Coalville have been disappointing thus far this season. Despite their big budget, The Ravens currently sit in 12th- 11 points off the playoffs.

All hope is not lost for Adam Stevens side who will firmly believe they have what it takes to mount a late playoff push. The Leicestershire-based club have already defeated two step two teams thus far, and will be need to make it a hat-trick if they are to progress to the FA Trophy quarter finals for the first time in their history.

Score Prediction: 2-2

Bromley vs Aveley

The 'best of the rest' in the National League, Bromley, host perennial underdogs Aveley at Hayes Lane.

League: National League

Position: 2nd

Manager: Andy Woodman

Star Player: Michael Cheek

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Winners - 2021/2022

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Slough 1-0 (H)

Fourth Round: Chippenham 1-1 (H)- Won On Penalties

Odds to win Trophy : 5.00

About the club: 

After a heavily rotated Chesterfield side were knocked out by Welling, Bromley have taken the mantel of the FA Trophy favourites by virtue of being 2nd in the national league. Andy Woodman has worked miracles at the Ravens, leading them to their first ever FA Trophy triumph, as well as the National League playoffs.

The 52-year-old has transformed the club on and off the pitch, even turning down an approach from League 2 Gillingham, as Woodman believes in the project. The visit of Aveley presents a third straight visit of a National League South team. The South East London team will be looking to build on their 2022 triumph.

Aveley

League: National League South

Position: 8th

Manager: Danny Scopes

Star Player: Siju Odelusi

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Quarter Finals 2019/2020

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: St Ives Town: 2-1 (H)

Third Round: Hungerford 1-1 (H) - Won on penalties

Fourth Round: AFC Fylde 1-0 (H)

Odds to win Trophy : 29.00

About the club: 

It has been a tremendous couples seasons for Aveley, registering back-to-back promotions to find themselves in the National League South. The Millers aren't just in the National League South to make up the numbers, as they remarkably sit 8th - just one point off playoffs. Their performances in the NLS have been astonishing, considering they were heavy favourites for relegation.

After wins in the second and third round against teams lower in the pyramid, Aveley were tasked with a home game against National League outfit AFC Fylde. It was a task Danny Scopes side dealt with fantastically, with a Nana Kyei goal on the stroke of half-time proving the difference.

They face their toughest challenge yet, as they travel to the highest ranked team still in the competition. It is a task Aveley will be relishing, in a game they should attack head on.

Score Prediction: Bromley 4-1 Aveley

Chorley vs Solihull Moors

National League North promotion chasers Chorley host National League promotion chasers Solihull Moors at Victory Park in what is arguably the tie of the round.

Chorley

League: National League North

Position: 6th

Manager: Andy Preece

Star Player: Carlton Ubaezuonu

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Semi Finals - 1995/1996

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: Scarborough 1-0 (H)

Third Round: Blyth Spartans 2-0 (H)

Fourth Round: Hythe Town 1-2 (A)

Odds to win Trophy : 34.00

About the club: 

It has been a chaotic few weeks in Lancashire for Chorley. With rumours the club are being hit with a winding up petition and a transfer embargo, the club have seemed to ignore these allegations and instead announced that Boyzone are in talks to become the face of the club. I guess life really is a rollercoaster!

On the pitch, Chorley have had a very good season all things considered. The Magpies currently sit 6th in the league as they look to gain promotion to the National League. Their games at Victory Park have certainly been entertaining, with Andy Preece's side scoring 34 and conceding 16 in their 15 home games.

Solihull Moors

League: National League

Position: 4th

Manager: Andy Whing

Star Player: James Clarke

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Quarter Finals - 2021/2022

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Scunthorpe 0-2 (A)

Fourth Round: Nantwich Town 5-1 (H)

Odds to win Trophy : 6.00

About the club: 

Despite sitting fourth in the National League, Solihull Moors go into this game as slight underdogs according to Bet365 (2.55). Andy Whing has done a great job at Solihull, making them real contenders for promotion, despite the long term injury of star player Joe Sbarra. Whing will be boosted with the 25-year-olds recent return.

Away from home, Moors have the second best record in the league, bettered only by runaway leaders Chesterfield. They will need to dispatch of a third lower-league team in a row to progress to the quarter finals and equal their best ever FA Trophy finish.

Score Prediction: Chorley 1-2 Solihull Moors

Hampton & Richmond vs Macclesfield

Hampton & Richmond

League: National League South

Position: 5th

Manager:  Mel Gwinnett

Star Player: Dean Inman

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Fifth Round - 2023/2024

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: Cray Valley PM 1-5 (A)

Third Round: Southend 2-2 (A) - Won On Penalties

Fourth Round: Hartlepool 0-0 (A)- Won On Penalties

Odds to win Trophy : 23.00

About the club: 

A 3-1 loss to Braintree on the 6th of January sparked the end of a 17 game unbeaten run for the Beavers. Not to be deterred, Mel Gwinnett's side held Hartlepool to a 0-0 draw, before defeating the Monkey Hangers on penalties to make it successive National League sides defeated away from home.

The South-West London side are enjoying one of their best seasons in the clubs history as they sit fifth in the National League South, chasing promotion to the National League. With the goals of Ben Seymour and Mason Bloomfield in their ranks, coupled with the defensive solidity of Dean Inman, The Beavers are my personal picks to win the trophy.

Macclesfield

League: Northern League Premier

Position: 6th

Manager: Alex Bruce

Star Player: Alex Curran

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Winners - 1969/1970 & 1995/1996 (As Macclesfield Town Fc before dissolving)

Route to Last 16:

Third Qualifying Round: Hanley Town 0-1 (A)

First Round: Halesowen Town 4-1 (H)

Second Round: Alfreton 2-4 (A)

Third Round: Curzon Ashton 0-2 (A)

Fourth Round: Dorking 5-0 (H)

Odds to win Trophy : 21.00

About the club: 

One of three step three clubs still left in the competition, The Silkmen are perhaps the most intriguing. Formed three years ago as a phoenix club of Macclesfield Town Fc, they are owned by the infamous Robbie Savage and managed by Alex Bruce- son of Steve.

Despite being priced as underdogs for this match (3.25), the Silkmen curiously have shorter odds (21.00) to win the competition than Saturday's opponents.

Macclesfield have already defeated three teams in higher leagues to get this far - most notably putting five past National League side Dorking Wanderers. They will need a repeat of this performance if they are to beat a high flying Hampton & Richmond side.

Score Prediction: Hampton & Richmond 3-2 Macclesfield

Hereford Fc vs Gateshead

Hereford Fc:

League: National League North

Position: 8th

Manager: Paul Caddis

Star Player: Jason Cowley

Best FA Trophy Finish: Runners Up - 2020/2021

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: 4-1 Redbridge (H)

Third Round: South Park 1-0 (H)

Fourth Round: Torquay 2-0 (H)

Odds to win Trophy: 29.00

About the club: 

Like Macclesfield Fc, Hereford Fc are a phoenix club. Formed in 2014 as a replacement for Hereford United, the Bulls now find themselves them in the National League North. They came very close to winning the trophy in 2021, but a trio of late goals saw Hornchurch come out as surprise 3-1 winners.

Their opening two rounds were plain sailing, facing sides a few leagues below them in the pyramid, before dispatching National League South side Torquay in the fourth round. They face an injury-ridden Gateshead side in the fifth round with the perfect chance of a quarter final appearance.

Gateshead:

League: National League

Position: 7th

Manager: Rob Elliot

Star Player: Marcus Dinanga

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Runners Up - 2022/2023

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Rochdale 1-5 (A)

Fourth Round: Weston Super Mare 2-2 (H) - Won On Penalties

Odds to win Trophy : 8.00

About the club: 

Despite the departure of manager Mike Williamson and star man Stephen Wearne to Mk Dons and a recent injury crisis, Gateshead still remain in the playoff places - just. After three losses in a row threatened to de-rail their season, the Tynesiders are now three unbeaten.

A comfortable 5-1 victory at finically plagued Rochdale was followed up by a penalty shoot-out win against step 2 Weston Super Mare. Gateshead games are certainly entertaining- averaging over 3 goals per game. I expect Saturday's game to follow a similar pattern.

Score Prediction: 2-2

Peterborough Sports vs Kidderminster Harriers

Peterborough Sports

League: National League North

Position: 16th

Manager: Michael Gash and Luke Steele

Star Player:  Ryan Fryatt

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Fifth Round - 2023/2024

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: Leiston 1-4 (A)

Third Round: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 (A) - Won On Penalties

Fourth Round: Horsham 0-3 (A)

Odds to win Trophy: 51.00

About the club: 

After gaining promotion to the National League North for the first time in their history, the Turbines will be delighted with their season thus far, sitting in a solid 16th place.

A shock victory over National League side Dagenham & Redbridge was sandwiched in between wins away at Leiston and Horsham who are leagues below Peterborough Sports.

The Turbines have struggled in front of goal, scoring just 35 goals in the league this season. Their attacking struggles is evident in the fact that their top scorer is Daniel Lawlor who has scored just five goals this campaign. They are without a win in five, drawing three of these games 1-1, one 0-0 and losing 0-1 to Scunthorpe.

Sports are one of three teams with odds of 51.00 to win the Trophy. Having shown defensive resilience in the league thus far and facing up against National League low-scorers Kidderminster in the fifth round, an each way punt on Peterborough Sports @ 51.00 might give you a run for your money - especially if they progress to the quarters and get drawn at home.

Kidderminster Harriers

League: National League

Position: 22nd

Manager:  Phil Brown

Star Player:  Christian Dibble

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Winners - 1986/1987

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Stourbridge 4-1 (H)

Fourth Round: Altrincham 0-0 (H)- Won On Penalties

Odds to win Trophy:  17.00

About the club: 

After a run of six straight victories to end the season saw Kidderminster sneak into the National League North playoffs on a dramatic final day, Russell Penn led Kidderminster to promotion via the playoffs.

However, on January 7th with the Harriers bottom of the league, Penn was sacked and replaced by the veteran Phil Brown. The 64-year-old oversaw a penalty shootout victory over Altrincham in his first game in charge, before leading them to victories over Aldershot, Hartlepool, Dagenham & Redbridge and Oxford City.

Brown has taken the leagues lowest scorers and reinvigorated them, giving Harriers supporters hopes of survival again. A tough journey to Peterborough to face the Turbines awaits his side in the fifth round. With an away game midweek against Solihull Moors, I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple changes for Kidderminster. Either way, I am expecting a tight and cagey game.

Score Prediction: 0-0

Wealdstone vs Hendon

A tasty local rivalry awaits us in London as step 1 Wealdstone host step 3 Hendon in what should be a feisty encounter (if the game is on)

Wealdstone

League: National League

Position: 14th

Manager: David Noble

Star Player: Charlie Barker

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Winners - 1984/1985

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Billericay Town 1-4 (A)

Fourth Round: Chelmsford City 0-1 (A)

Odds to win Trophy: 8.00

About the club: 

Perhaps more known for their famous fan 'the Wealdstone Raider' , The Stones are punching way above their weight as one of three semi-professional teams in the National League. Their success had not gone unnoticed, with Notts County sounding out manager Stuart Maynard as the successor to Luke Williams.

Famed for being the first club to win the 'Non-League Double' , Wealdstone will be looking to win the trophy yet again, and will see a home tie against a Hendon side two divisions below as the perfect way to progress into the last eight.

However, with the Grosvenor Vale pitch looking a little worse for wear and heavy rain forecasted before Saturday, there are some doubts whether the match will take place. Grosvenor Vale has been a fortress for the Stones, boasting the fifth best home record in the National League.

Hendon

League: Southern League South

Position: 9th

Manager: Lee Allinson

Star Player: Niko Muir

Best FA Trophy Finish:  Fifth Round - 2023/2024

Route to Last 16:

Third Qualifying Round: 3-1 AFC Sudbury (H)

First Round: 2-1 Walton & Hersham (H)

Second Round: 2-0 Eastbourne Borough (H)

Third Round: 2-0 Weymouth (H)

Fourth Round: 1-2 Oldham (A)

Odds to win Trophy: 51.00

About the club: 

Hendon shocked the non-league scene by beating former Premier League side Oldham Athletic in the last round, with top scorer Niko Muir scoring a 96th minute winner, sparking jubilant celebrations in the away end.

Lee Allinson's side have been entertaining this season, with their games averaging 3.3 goals per game. Since their victory over Oldham, The Green's league form has seemed to decrease, drawing 2-2, 3-3 and losing 2-3.

With Wembley in their sights - physically and metaphorically speaking, Hendon will be hoping to cause another big upset - this time against a team 5.9 miles up the road.

Score Prediction: Wealdstone 3-1 Hendon

Welling United vs Barnet

Welling

League: National League South

Position: 21st

Manager: Rod Stringer

Star Player:  Anthony Grant

Best FA Trophy Finish: Quarter Finals - 2006/2007

Route to Last 16:

Second Round: Taunton Town 2-2 (H) - Won On Penalties

Third Round: Brackley Town 1-1 (H) - Won On Penalties

Fourth Round: Chesterfield 2-0 (H)

Odds to win Trophy: 51.00

About the club: 

The Wings defeated a heavily rotated Chesterfield side in the last round and now have third place Barnet in their sites in the fifth round, as they look to reach the quarter finals for only the third time in their history.

Despite struggling in the league, manager Danny Bloor was a popular figure at the club, so his sacking was a contentious one. Rod Stringer has been tasked with steering the club away from relegation. Welling currently sit five points from safety.

The experience of the silky Anthony Grant in midfield is imperative if the Wings are to leave Park View Road with a result.

Barnet

League: National League

Position: 3rd

Manager: Dean Brennan

Star Player: Nicke Kabamba

Best FA Trophy Finish: Runners up - 1971/1972

Route to Last 16:

Third Round: Maidstone United 4-0 (H)

Fourth Round: Radcliffe 1-2 (A)

Odds to win Trophy: 5.50

About the club: 

Sitting third in the National League, the Bees are currently second favourites for the Trophy. However, going into this game, the bookies can't split the sides, with 2.50 widely available for either team to win.

In Nicke Kabamba, Brennan boasts one of the most prolific strikers in Non-League. However, the 31-year-old missed the draw with rivals Wealdstone last week, so it remains to be seen whether he is fit for this crunch tie.

With the title out of reach and playoffs looking comfortably secured, don't be surprised to see a full strength Barnet team.

Score Prediction: Welling 1-2 Barnet

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