Devon clubs learn FA Cup fate as fans react to first-round draw
Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and Plymouth Parkway have discovered who stands between them and a place in the FA Cup second round, with the draws prompting mixed reactions from supporters
Three Devon teams have discovered their opponents in the FA Cup first round, with contrasting draws bringing a tough away trip for Exeter, a potentially favourable home tie for Argyle and a historic all-non-league meeting at Plymouth Parkway.
The ties are due to be played over the weekend of 7 November, with the winners moving into the second round and a chance to take another step towards a potential meeting with one of the Premier League or Championship clubs, who enter the competition in the third round.
Exeter City face tough test away to high-flying West Yorkshire outfit
Exeter City will travel to Huddersfield Town, with the sides meeting in a tie that has prompted a mixed reaction from supporters.
Some Exeter fans were disappointed by the draw, with comments online describing it as the sort of fixture they had hoped to avoid.
Others took a more light-hearted view on the ‘magic of the cup’, with one supporter writing: “It’s the FA Cup and anything can happen!”
The Grecians will be keen to make a better impression in this season’s competition after last year’s memorable run ended in a 10-1 defeat away to eventual cup winners Manchester City in the third round.
Exeter had reached that stage after beating FC Halifax Town and Wycombe Wanderers, but were overwhelmed by the Premier League side at the Etihad Stadium in January.
George Birch scored a late consolation in a match that saw the Citizens score 10 goals.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, will provide another test against a top League One opposition.
The Terriers currently sit third in the League One table, having comfortably beaten City’s bitter Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle 2-0 on the weekend.
The Yorkshire side will have home advantage, leaving Exeter facing a trip north as they look to progress beyond the first round.
Plymouth Argyle handed home tie against non-league opposition
Plymouth Argyle will play at Home Park against either Spalding United or Alvechurch, who meet this evening (October 20) to decide which club will travel to Devon.
Lincolnshire outfit Spalding currently sit ninth in the National League South, with Worcestershire based Alvechurch sixth in the Southern Premier Division Central.
The draw has been welcomed by many Argyle supporters, with several describing it as a winnable tie and pointing to the advantage of playing at home.
Others suggested it could provide an opportunity to rotate the squad and give younger players a chance, but emphasised the need to take the tie seriously to avoid an upset.
One supporter wrote: “The perfect draw on paper, as we should ease through it. But it is the FA Cup so hopefully we don't end up with egg on our face!”.
Argyle will be hoping to build on their recent history of memorable FA Cup runs.
The Greens beat Premier League Brentford in January 2025 before producing one of the shocks of the 2024/25 competition by defeating Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park in the fourth round, thanks to a Ryan Hardie penalty.
Their run continued to the fifth round, where they were knocked out following a trip to Premier League giants Manchester City.
The draw also marks Argyle’s first FA Cup meeting with a non-league opponent since facing AFC Fylde in 2014.
Spalding United and Alvechurch will both see the fixture as a major opportunity, with the prospect of a trip to Home Park offering a chance to test themselves against Football League opposition.
Plymouth Parkway make history with Berkhamsted draw
Plymouth Parkway’s reward for reaching the first round proper for the first time in their history is a home tie against Berkhamsted, a club who have also reached this stage for the first time.
Parkway secured their place in the draw with a 2-0 win over Chertsey Town on Saturday (October 17), with Andrew ‘Rocky’ Neal and Reece Thomson scoring the goals at Bolitho Park.
The result capped a strong FA Cup run for Parkway, who progressed through the qualifying rounds to reach the first round proper for the first time.
Their opponents are familiar league rivals from the Southern League Premier South, although the sides have not yet met in league action this season.
Berkhamsted also arrive in the competition proper on the back of a notable cup result, having come from behind to beat National League side Southend United 2-1 and reach the first round.
Parkway are second in the Southern League Premier South table, with 23 points from 11 matches in the standings updated on Saturday 17 October.
The draw has prompted optimism among Parkway supporters, with one describing the tie as “Definitely winnable” and pointing to the financial benefits of reaching the second round.
The winner of each first-round tie will receive £47,750 in prize money, while the losing clubs will receive £15,800.
For Parkway, the occasion will be significant regardless of the result: the club have already made history by reaching the first round proper, and a win would take them into the second round for the first time.
All three Devon clubs now have the chance to extend their FA Cup journeys, with Exeter facing a difficult away assignment, Argyle hoping to make home advantage count and Parkway looking to continue a landmark run.