The FA Trophy Fourth Round is upon us with 16 mouthwatering ties. Matthew O'Regan has a look at his four favourite ties.
Chertsey Town make the short 45-mile round trip to face Aldershot.
The Curfews, who were promoted last year and currently play in the Southern South, sit 11th, 11 points off the playoffs. Chertsey was Premier League impressive in romping to the Isthmian South Central Division last season, losing just once en route to 100 points.
This year, their games have been chaotic, with Mark Harper's side scoring 43 and conceding 43 goals in just 22 games, for an average of 3.90 goals per game.
Chertsey have already defeated two teams in the leagues above so far, scoring two late goals to defeat National League South side Bath City 2-3 before beating National League Dagenham & Redbridge in the previous round. The club are already the furthest they have ever got in the FA Trophy, but a win at Aldershot will be the biggest scalp yet.
Aldershot are now five games without a win, with their last victory coming in the previous round at home to Wealdstone (3-1). Since then, they've lost 2-1 and 3-4 to Solihull Moors and FC Halifax, respectively, before three score draws in the last five.
Tommy Widdrington's side currently sit 18th in the National League, just two points clear of relegation in what has been a poor start to the season. The Shots are two-time FA Trophy semi-finalists, reaching the final four in 2004 and 2008. They will be keen to avoid the same embarrassment as last year, where they lost 6-1 to National League North basement boys Bishop Stortford.
Another game with a two-league gap sees Northern Premier Division side Gainsborough host National League leaders York at the Northolme.
Gainsborough have been impressive in reaching the fourth round, beating National League North sides Chester and Rushall Olympic already. They also beat National League side Boston United and National League North side Darlington in FA Cup qualification. Trinity reached the FA Trophy semi-final in 2013 and are priced at 81.00 to win it this year.
While Russ Wilcox's side were in a rich vein of form, they have now lost three games on the bounce in the league as the fixture pile-up is starting to affect them.
York are the standout side in the National League, so they come into this fixture off the back of back-t0-back home wins against Southend (3-0) and Gateshead (1-0). While Adam Hinshelwood's side have one of the biggest budgets in the league, they have been impressive in the transfer market and look good money for their lead.
The Minstermen defeated rivals Darlington 3-1 in the last round and are 9.00 second favourites to win the FA Trophy - a cup they won in 2012 and 2017.
Stockton Town come into this match as huge 8.50 underdogs against a Rochdale side two divisions above them in the pyramid. The Anchors are playing in the fourth round for the first time in their history after defeating Rochdale's bitter rivals Oldham in the previous round and National League North side Scarborough in the round before.
Michael Dunwell's side currently sit seventh in the Northern Premier League after gaining promotion through the playoffs last year. If Stockton are to spring an upset, top scorer Michael Sweet will be crucial to their chances.
Rochdale played their first season in non-league in their history last year, coming 11th - nine points off the playoffs and ten points from safety. Jimmy McNulty's side now sit seventh in the playoffs, hoping to win their games in hand to cement their playoff places.
Like Stockton, Rochdale are playing in the FA Trophy fourth round for the first time after crashing out in the third round last year, losing 1-5 to fellow National League side Gateshead. The bookmakers make the hosts undeniable 1.25 favourites to win, so it should be routine for the Dale.
The only Step Four team remaining in the competition are Sittingbourne, who are sitting atop of a competitive Isthmian South East Division, only losing once all season, scoring 71 goals in 23 games. The Brickies are in the FA Trophy Fourth Round for the first time, having taken some impressive scalps along the way.
In the final qualification round, Step Three side Bognor Regis were defeated 2-1 before they beat Isthmian Premier League leaders Dover 0-2 thanks to goals either side of the break from Michael May and Codey Cosgrave. A trip to Southern Premier League side Winchester was the reward in the Second Round - an ill-tempered game the visitors won on penalties.
National League South Enfield Town were the latest favourites to go down to Sittingbourne, who rushed into a 4-2 halftime lead and showed resilience to hold on. If they are to continue this historic run, they must defeat another team from step two.
Salisbury were promoted to the National League South via the playoffs last year and now sit 18th - nine clear of relegation. Brian Dutton's side have struggled away from home, winning just once in the league. The Whites have beaten two teams in their league to get to the Fourth Round and, on paper, have their easiest game so far.
However, the bookies cannot split the sides, with both priced at 2.45 for the win.
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