BBC selects Altrincham-Notts County and Cray-Stockport for FA Cup coverage

Two non-league ties picked for BBC coverage

The BBC will show Altrincham against Notts County and Cray Wanderers against Stockport County in the FA Cup first round next month.

Altrincham, of the National League, will host former cup winners Notts County at Moss Lane on Saturday, 7 November. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:15 GMT and will be shown on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Cray Wanderers, a seventh-tier Isthmian League club, host League One leaders Stockport County on Sunday, 8 November, at 14:15 GMT, also on BBC Two and iPlayer. It will be Cray’s first appearance in the first round proper. They advanced by beating Bedford Town 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in their replay.

The tie offers a notable contrast in FA Cup history: Cray are recognised as London’s oldest football club, while Altrincham have recorded 17 victories over Football League opposition—a record for a club that has never played in the league. Notts County, one of the Football League’s founding members in 1888, won the FA Cup in 1894. They were eliminated at this stage last season, losing on penalties to Brackley.

Weekend schedule and coverage

Jason Mohammad will present Saturday’s BBC coverage, with Alex Scott hosting from Cray on Sunday. A highlights programme is scheduled for Sunday, 8 November, at 17:10 GMT, and goals from all first-round ties will be available across BBC digital platforms.

The other six televised ties are scheduled for TNT/HBO Max: Oxford City v Leicester City on Friday, 6 November; Peterborough United v Reading on Saturday, 7 November; Stafford Rangers v Grimsby Town, Wimborne v Crawley and Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, 8 November; and Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted on Monday, 9 November. The second-round draw will take place before the Plymouth Parkway match.