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Friday night FA Cup action comes from The Exercise Stadium as League Two Harrogate Town hosts step three side Gainsborough Trinity.
First Round - Wrexham (H) - 1-0
Third Round - 2021-2022
The Sulphurites currently sit 17th in the league after back-to-back 2-1 wins against Chesterfield (home) and Gillingham (away), respectively. Inconsistency has plagued Town's season, winning six games, drawing three and losing eight. However, they are now eight points clear of relegation and only five of the playoffs, so the Football League's longest-serving manager, Simon Weaver, will be satisfied with his side's start to the season.
Appointed in 2009 by his dad, Irving Weaver, Simon is now in his fifteenth season at the club and has seen them rise from perennial National League North strugglers to a stable League Two club. Harrogate are priced as heavy 1.38 favourites for the clash and will look to add to their five home wins on Friday. They shocked League One Wrexham in front of the television cameras in the last round, so they will be keen to ensure a repeat of this is avoided.
First Qualifying Round- AFC Telford (H) - 2-1
Second Qualifying Round - Grantham Town (H) - 2-1
Third Qualifying Round - Darlington (A) 1-2
Fourth Qualifying Round - Boston United (H) 2-2
Fourth Qualifying Round Replay - Boston United (A) 0-4
First Round - Hednesford (A) - 4-4 (4-5 win after penalties)
Third Round - 1886-1887
Owing to their success in the FA Trophy and FA Cup so far, Gainsborough have played at least four and, in some cases, six fewer league games than the rest of the Northern Premier League Premier Division. This number will increase even more in the coming weeks, with back-to-back cup ties before their next league fixture away at Mickleover on the 10th of December.
While they are only outside the relegation places on goal difference, Trinity have lofty ambitions for the playoffs and a good cup run, coupled with TV money, will help them spend.
In the first round, Southern League Central pre-season title favourites AFC Telford were defeated 2-1, setting up a tie against lower-ranked Grantham Town. Gainsborough won by the same scoreline, setting up a tie against National League North side Darlington.
Russ Wilcox's side shocked the higher-placed opposition, with rivals Boston United the reward in the final qualifying round. After a 2-2 draw in a feisty game, Trinity shocked their National League opponents in the away replay, trumping the Pilgrims 0-4.
Step Four Hednesford were the reward in the first round, with Gainsborough winning on penalties after a 4-4 draw in the game of the round.
The visitors come into Friday's affair nine games unbeaten, with their last defeat coming away at runaway leaders Macclesfield on the 24th of September. In this run, Gainsborough have beaten two National League North sides (Darlington and Chester), as well as National League side Boston United. Harrogate is their biggest test yet, but in a game that "has the potential to change the club for the next generation", Trinity will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
If Gainsborough are to claim a famous scalp, they will need Declan Howe to continue his tremendous form. The 26-year-old has made 56 appearances for Trinity since signing in 2023 and is already on 17 this season. Howe scored in four of the five qualifying games, scoring six in total. He then scored two in the dramatic game against Hednesford. Against a Harrogate side with one clean sheet in eight, Howe will fancy his chances of scoring yet again and continue his charge for the Golden Boot.
Prediction: Declan Howe to Score @4.75 - bet365
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