The Hawks kick off their Emirates FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Merthyr Town at Westleigh Park on September 16 with a 3pm kick off in what is the second qualifying round of the competition.
The Welsh side based in Merthyr Tidfil play just one division below the Hawks in the Southern Premier League and they will eye up this fixture as a tie where they can provide a shock. A cup tie against a Welsh side will revoke memories of January 2008 when a packed Westleigh Park saw the Hawks stun Swansea City with a 4-2 win.
Gavin Williams’ side currently sit 9th in the Southern League with 9 points on the board and a +9 goal difference, scoring 12 goals and conceding just three in the process in the league having beaten Willand Rovers in the previous round.
The Hawks are just 3 wins away from the first round proper of the competition which they last reached 3 years ago when the Hawks lost to Preston North End in front of the BT Sport Cameras.
This year also marks ten years since the famous run which won the hearts of a nation which ended in a memorable day at Anfield where after leading twice the Hawks would end up losing 5-2 to Liverpool at Anfield.
But for the Hawks the start of a new cup journey starts at home in an ‘International’ clash with ticket prices and full information to be announced by the club shortly.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 