It may be eight years since AFC Portchester last reached the First Qualifying Round stage of the Emirates FA Cup but they are yet to lose a match at this stage of the competition.
The Royals boast a four game unbeaten run in this round of the world’s most famous cup competition – and two members of the current squad have experienced that First Qualifying Round winning feeling with the club previously.
The first time Portchester’s name was in the hat for the round which sees clubs just four games away from the First Round Proper and a potential tie against EFL League 1 and 2 clubs was in the 2013-14 season.
The Royals recorded a 5-0 victory at Horndean in front of a crowd of 195. From 2015 onwards the club were in the First Qualifying Round draw three seasons running.
Current midfielder Ash Howes played in the 3-0 win at Bristol Manor Farm on September 12, 2015. Two goals from Alex Baldacchino and one for Luke Sweeney put the Royals safely through.
Another win on the road followed during the 2016-17 season when the Royals won 2-1 at Bideford. Joe Noakes and Steve Ramsey were on target in the game played on September 3, 2016.
The club’s most famous FA Cup moment to date then came in the First Qualifying Round during the 2017-18 season at The OnSite Group Stadium.
Dorchester were the visitors on September 2, 2017, and at the time they were in the Southern League’s Premier Division – two levels above the Wessex League Royals.
A famous victory was secured five minutes from full time when Rob Evans scored in front of a crowd of 391. In the Portchester side that day was current defender Olly Searle.
Unfortunately the four times the Royals made it into the Second Qualifying Round as a result of their unbeaten First Qualifying Round record, they were unable to extend their FA Cup journey in those seasons any further – losing to Cirencester Town, Brockenhurst, Merthyr Town and Truro City.
Portchester face a tough First Qualifying Round tie at Gloucester City this Saturday and if the Royals can stretch their winning run further it would be a result that would be right up there in the club’s FA Cup top moments.
Gloucester are currently fourth in the Southern League’s Premier South Division and they are a club with a good FA Cup pedigree.
Since the Second World War they have regularly competed in the latter stages of the qualifying rounds in the competition and reached the First Round Proper on six occasions, the last time being in 2013.
