The clocks have gone back, the pavements are slippy and you’re telling yourself that these are the perfect weeks for pre-Christmas exercise (without actually doing the exercise), so that can only mean one thing: the FA Cup proper is beginning.

Last weekend was the first round in which clubs in the Football League could meet non-league opposition, which makes it banana skin heaven. I wanted to spend a long weekend upset-hunting at the home of non-league sides. Four games in three days and the hope of at least one humbling. Here goes…

Game 1: Chelmsford City vs Braintree Town

It is 10.30am and I am standing in a Morrisons car park on the outskirts of Chelmsford. My mission is to spend the FA Cup first round weekend hunting for upsets and this is my first base. Over a few rows of new-build

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