Ten FA Cup first-round memories to recall from Yorkshire's non-league clubs since 2000
FA CUP first-round weekend; a special time in November when football minnows are afforded their place in the sun and dare to dream of January. Amen to that. Over the years, this stage of the competition has yielded memorable occasions for Yorkshire's non-league clubs.
For lower-division EFL clubs suddenly cast as 'Goliath', there have also been some unwanted recent round-one memories. The names Tamworth and King's Lynn will send a shiver down the spines of Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers, for instance.
And what about the plain bizarre? Just mention Horsham to Barnsley, infamously kicked out of the Cup in November 2023 for fielding an ineligible player in a first-round replay win in West Sussex.
Back in the 1980s and 90s, the likes of Frickley Athletic and Emley took centre stage on the giant-killing front in the county. This century, it has been the turn of others. Some have been fortunate enough to make round two and while others haven't, the fact that they announced themselves on the map, albeit briefly, provided kudos and pride for being part of the rich FA Cup story.
As non-leaguers Harrogate Town, Halifax and Guiseley aim to make more memories today, here’s ten first-round moments to recall since 2000.
2023: Scarborough Athletic 2 Forest Green 4
Rovers held off non-league Boro in a frenetic replayed tie to set up a trip to Blackpool in round two - in front of a crowd of over 2,500.
The Football Association ordered the match to be replayed after a mix-up regarding a loan player's eligibility to play for the League Two club in the original tie, which ended 1-1 before Rovers won the 'replay' 5-2.
Ryan Qualter gave the hosts a shock lead, before the visitors turned the tables to lead 3-1. Luca Colville gave Jono Greening's side hope in their quest to force extra-time before Rovers scored a killer fourth.
2021: FC Halifax Town 7 Maidenhead United 4
Six different home players struck to ensure that the Shaymen prevailed on an astonishing afternoon against their National League rivals, courtesy of goals from Billy Waters (2), Tyrell Warren, Matty Warburton, Kian Spence, Jordan Slew and Elliot Newby.
'Sublime to the ridiculous' was Halifax chief Pete Wild's astute post-match verdict on events.
2018: Guiseley 4 Cambridge United 3
The Lions withstood a dramatic late comeback from their League Two opponents to reach the second round for just the second time ever.
The Nethermoor action saw Will Hatfield put the hosts ahead with a sweet half-volley and a Cliff Moyo cross-shot made it 2-0 at the break.
Strikes from Kaine Felix and Kingsley James put Guiseley in dreamland by the midway point of the second half - the prelude to a storming U's fightback, with Jabo Ibehre (2) and George Maris netting.
Unfortunately, chairman Gary Douglas was en route to Hong Kong and missed witnessing Guiseley's big day.
2017: Shaw Lane Aquaforce 1 Mansfield Town 3
Barnsley-based Evo-Stik Premier League side Shaw Lane, who were a Sunday League side until 2011, were undone by a fine second-half brace from Barnsley-born Danny Rose, who lived a few streets away from the hosts' stadium.
Earlier, Grimethorpe lad Lee Bennett had cancelled out Krystian Pearce's Stags opener - in the biggest game in the club's history.
Shaw Lane goalkeeper Jon Stewart saved a penalty from ex-Reds midfielder Jacob Mellis.
2014: FC Halifax Town 1 Bradford City 2
Two goals in four minutes helped Bradford edge past the Shaymen in front of more than 8,000 fans at The Shay.
Lois Maynard gave Halifax a shock early lead and they held their precious advantage for 50 minutes.
But the half-time introduction of Billy Clarke turned the game as he set up Jon Stead and Filipe Morais as City struck twice in four minutes.
2012: Torquay United 0 Harrogate Town 1
Chib Chilaka was Harrogate's hero, firing a famous winner at Plainmoor for Simon Weaver's Blue Square Bet North side on 19 minutes.
It represented the first time in the Sulphurites' history that they progressed beyond the first round.
The closest they had previously come was ironically against Torquay in 2005, when the Gulls won on penalties after a replay.
2006: Farsley Celtic 0 MK Dons 0
Conference North part-timers Celtic earned a replay following a gripping draw at Throstle Nest.
Simeon Bambrook and Roy Starmer went close, while Ryan Crossley also saw a header cleared off the line. MK won the replay 2-0.
2003: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2 Bristol City 5
No progression for Avenue, but a key milestone as it marked their return to the national stage for the first time since reformation in 1988.
A crowd of just under 2,000 roared on the hosts at the Horsfall Stadium. Four goals were shared in an incredible opening 13 minutes as the hosts gave the Robins a real scare. Andy Hayward netted for the hosts, while City’s Dan Coles scored an own goal in the televised tie.
2002: Slough Town 1 Harrogate Railway 2
Northern Counties East Premier Division side Railway pulled off a shock win at their Ryman Division One hosts.
Slough led through a Byron Bubb free-kick. But the visitors levelled in the second half when the Slough defence failed to clear an Ian McLean free-kick and Kevin Smith headed home. McLean also set up the winner, headed in by Steve Davey.
2001: Whitby Town 1 Plymouth Argyle 1
The Match of the Day cameras saw the Seasiders draw 1-1 at the Turnbull Ground and give Argyle a real fright.
Whitby shocked the Pilgrims by opening the scoring three minutes before half-time when Alex Gildea converted Jamie Burt’s cross.
Argyle levelled on 72 minutes, with Martin Phillips ending the defiance of home keeper Phil Naisbett. They won the replay 3-2.
The money Whitby accrued from the tie was already earmarked for ground repairs and the club issued an appeal for cash to fund the 765-round-trip to Home Park for the midweek replay. Peter Ridsdale, then chairman at Leeds United, duly obliged, paying for the travel costs alongside an overnight hotel stay.