FA Cup 1st Round Predictions: non-league upset?

Rochdale v Bromley

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Rochdale could meet Bromley in League Two next season. Dale, who have won just three league games, have not been helped by the summer exits of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Matty Lund for Championship clubs. They are not playing with the fluency we have come to expect from them, whereas Bromley are the joint-third top scorers in the National League. The Ravens boast one of the better squads they’ve had in their 125-year history, with the experience of ex-Millwall stalwart Alan Dunne mixed in with exciting 24-year-old goalscoring midfielder Josh Rees. 1-2

Shrewsbury v Aldershot

This fixture was last played in March 2012, when Marvin Morgan scored a late equalizer for Shrewsbury against the club he netted 25 times for. The man hoping to haunt his old club on this occasion is Omar Beckles, who may get an opportunity at centre-back should Paul Hurst choose to rest Aristote Nsiala and Mat Sadler for the promotion challenge. Aldershot’s defence has not fared so well, conceding 14 goals in their last seven league games, even if they kept a clean sheet in their fourth round qualifying win over Torquay. They should pose a threat going forward though – experienced forward Matt McClure, speedy wide man Shamir Fenelon and powerful midfielder Manny Oyeleke have all held their own at League Two level in the past. 2-1

Stevenage v Nantwich Town

Nantwich’s have not had much luck so far in the Northern Premier League, where they have lost five of their eight away games. Fortune has favoured them a little more though in the FA Cup, as Crewe loanee Will Jaaskelainen helped them to victory over Kettering with a man-of-the-match performance in goal. The Dabbers have previous in this competition: Andy Locke scored the fastest ever FA Cup hat-trick, bagging one in the space of two minutes and 20 seconds. They are unlikely to break that record on Saturday, even if midfielder Matt Bell will pose a threat from set pieces. The last player to score a hat-trick for Stevenage was Matt Godden back in January and the striker has bagged three goals in his last two. Whether or not he starts along with Danny Newton, who himself has six goals in 16 league appearances this term, will decide whether Nantwich have an outside chance in Hertfordshire. 2-1