It's FA Cup weekend! The infamous trophy returns for the Preliminary Round, with six Derbyshire sides looking to progress to the First Qualifying Round.
Mickleover kicked off the weekend's action with a Friday night fixture in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, before ten more fixtures take place on Saturday afternoon.
The Sports found their first victory of the season with a 3-2 home win over North Ferriby United, with a Pablo Mills double and a later Evan Garnett goal gifting the Sports a three-goal lead before the visitors pulled two back to set up a nervous finish.
But this weekend's main focus is on the Emirates FA Cup, and six Derbyshire teams from three divisions have their eyes on a place in the First Qualifying Round draw.
Step eight sides Belper Town, Gresley and Glossop North End enter at this stage. Belper are the only of the three to have a home advantage with the Nailers hosting fellow NPL East Division side Lincoln United, whilst Gresley and Glossop travel to Sutton Coldfield Town and City of Liverpool respectively.
Staveley Miners Weflare, South Normanton Athletic and Long Eaton United are the other three teams, from step nine in the pyramid, to take part in the Preliminary Round after all managing an Extra Preliminary Round victory. NCEL Premier Division side Staveley host Lutterworth Town, whilst Midland Football League Premier Division outfits South Normanton and Long Eaton visit Quorn and Grimsby Borough to round up the cup fixtures for this weekend.
In the Sky Bet Championship, Derby look for their first back-to-back wins of the season after a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town ended their two-league game losing streak. Remaining at home for their Saturday fixture, the Rams hope to rise into the play-offs with a win over visitors Preston.
Chesterfield return home after consecutive National League defeats on the road to Barrow and Salford City, and with loanee defender Hadyn Hollis and goalkeeper Callum Burton signed on, the Spireites are hopeful of returning to winning ways when fellow-relegated and out-of-form Barnet visit the Proact Stadium.
Two wins from three in the National League North have given Alfreton Town some much-needed confidence after several good performances went unrewarded, and the Reds now have the opportunity to build on their victories over York City and Blyth Spartans with a visit to Stockport County, who are so far unbeaten on home turf.
In the only NPL Premier Division fixture of Saturday afternoon, Buxton round off the weekend schedule with another away day, this time at Workington. The Bucks are yet to play a fixture on their new artificial surface with preparations not yet complete, and they'll be hoping for a first win of the season to boost confidence.
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