FA CUP DRAW SENDS LEICESTER CITY TO OXFORD CITY

The FA Cup first-round draw has sent Leicester City to Oxford City, a National League North club in English football’s sixth tier. Leicester, who won the cup in 2021, will play at this stage for the first time since 2008. The club dropped into League One this season and stood 14th at the time of the draw. First-round ties are due to begin around the weekend of Saturday 7 November. Clubs from League One and League Two enter the competition at this stage.

Peterborough United will host Reading, whose squad includes Charlie Savage, son of Peterborough boss Robbie Savage. League One leaders Bradford City, the highest-ranked club in the draw, will host Marine of the National League North. Oldham Athletic will host Sheffield Wednesday, who have won the FA Cup three times. Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds will visit Burton Albion after winning five matches in the competition this season. AFC Rushden & Diamonds was founded in 2011 after the demise of Rushden & Diamonds.

Ninth-tier Tadley Calleva, the lowest-ranked side still in the competition, came from behind twice to earn a replay against Aldershot Town. The winner will travel to Barnsley in the first round. Plymouth Parkway will make their first appearance at this stage against fellow seventh-tier side Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted reached the round by beating Southend 2-1. Sholing are also among the four clubs reaching the first round for the first time.