FA Cup preview | Trio ready to fly the flag for NPL in first round proper

The trio - AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Guiseley and Stafford Rangers - have come a long way already to reach this stage of the competition, and are now just two wins away from a potential meeting with Premier League opposition.

History could be written this weekend, but will any of the NPL's three representatives go one step further in the world's oldest football competition?

'The biggest day in our history'

AFC Rushden & Diamonds' journey in the FA Cup began with a 5-0 win at Kimberley Miners Welfare in the extra preliminary round, all the way back on August 8.

The club went on to defeat Long Eaton United, Desborough Town and Peterborough Sports, before securing famous wins against Step 2 Braintree Town and Morecambe to reach the first round proper.

Their reward? A trip to League One side Burton Albion, with around 2,000 Diamonds supporters expected to make the trip to the Pirelli Stadium to cheer their side on to victory.

One of those who will be in the stands, chairman Rob Usher, admits it will be a special day in the short history of a Diamonds side founded in 2011 after the demise of Rushden & Diamonds.

On making it through to this stage of the competition for their first time, Usher said: “I want everyone who wants to be part of this experience to come with us.

"We're not going just for a day out. The odds are heavily stacked against us, but we're going there to give the best possible account of ourselves. It will be the biggest day in our history.”

Read the full interview with Rob Usher here.

Can Guiseley translate league form into cup success?

Guiseley are far more familiar with this stage of the competition, having made it to the first round proper five times in the last decade.

But to reach the second round for just the third time in their 117-year history, the Lions will need to overcome Sutton United of the National League, at what will no-doubt be a raucous Nethermoor.

Ian Richards' side have been a side bang in form over recent weeks, with their only defeat in the last 15 games in all competitions coming against Alfreton Town at the end of September.

Such form has left them third in the NPL Premier Division table, three points adrift of top spot.

But this weekend, their full focus will switch to the potential of writing themselves into the Guiseley history books.

A man who is no stranger to leading the Lions to the FA Cup first round proper is Gordon Rayner, regarded as one of Guiseley's greatest-ever managers.

Having been the first to lead the club to the first round proper, Rayner believes their latest cohort has what it takes to cause an FA Cup upset.  

Reflecting on his own experiences, the former Lions boss said: "Everybody was jumping on the bandwagon. All of the local papers were wanting to interview me and it did take centre stage."

Looking ahead to Saturday, he added: "I've been keeping a close eye on it [this season's cup run], and I think they've got a good chance at home.

"They've done really well in the FA Cup and FA Trophy."

Stafford out to cause upset in front of TV cameras

Of the three NPL sides left standing, only Stafford Rangers of the West Division will see their first round tie broadcast live.

A sell-out crowd - their fourth of the season - has already been confirmed as the Boro prepare to welcome League Two side Grimsby Town to the Stan Robinson Stadium on Sunday lunchtime.

Like AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Stafford's journey in this season's competition began back at the extra preliminary round stage.

Ian Deakin's men have gone on to defeat higher-ranked opposition in each of the previous three rounds.

National League North side Hereford fell by the wayside in second round qualifying and Step 3 Halesowen Town met a similar fate in third round qualifying, before the club thrashed National League Gateshead 5-0 in a fourth round qualifying replay to secure a home draw against Football League opposition.

"I'm really looking forward to challenging myself, and the lads challenging themselves," Deakin said.

"The town has been crying out for a cup run like we've got at the moment. It's fantastic to see and we're going to enjoy it, but we're going to try and win a game of football.

“We're not there to make up the numbers or have a fun day out. We want to win the game, and we'll be doing everything that we can behind the scenes to make sure that we're competitive and put in a performance for our fans.”