March to the Arch 4: The F.A.CUP 2012/2013, Early Draws

The F.A.Cup with Budweiser is ready to begin. The early round draws have been made and 11th August is the date for the diary, Kick Off.

We have had very close, March to the Arch (M2tA), merit tables for our previous result trackers. The first winners were Accrington Stanley, Brighton tasted success in the 2nd and Spurs are the current holders of the title.

Each year we have been able to begin our march at Oakside Stadium, the home of the mighty Barkingside from the Essex Senior League. This season is no different.


On the 11th August 2012 Barkingside entertain Great Yarmouth Town in the Extra Preliminary Round. The winner of this tie advance to the Preliminary Round, where they will welcome Witham Town. The First Round Qualifying will be the next stop and a trip to East Thurrock United awaits the winner.

Let me remind you how it works, Sports Pulse team will be Barkingside. The winner of the round will progress to the next stage of the cup and represent Sports Pulse. This will be repeated until the completion of the tournament.

Merit Points are awarded after each round. The winner will be the team who have accumulated the most points over the competition. There are 15 Rounds between the Extra Preliminary Round and the Final.

If teams are level on points at the end of the tournament the winner will be:
1) The team with the most appearances in the tracker.
2) The head to head result between the teams if applicable.
3) Goal Difference over the competition
4) Goals scored
5) If still level after the above, position will be shared.

Merit Points are awarded as follows

8 points Away win
7 points Home win
6 points Away win after replay
5 points Home win after replay
4 points Away defeat after replay
3 points Home defeat after replay
2 points Away defeat
1 point Home defeat

Semi Final
8 points for a win
3 points for defeat
1 point deducted each team, if tie goes to extra time.
2 points deducted each team, if tie goes to penalties.

Final
10 points for win
5 points for defeat
1 point deducted each team, if tie goes to extra time.
2 points deducted each team, if tie goes to penalties.

Bonus Points

Divisions will be split into 11 groups. 1 point will be awarded to teams that beat a club above their group (1 point per group above the lower team). For example if Harpenden Town, from the South Midlands League, beat Premier League Manchester United, they will receive 9 bonus points.

The groups are split as follows

Group 1: Premier League
Group 2: Championship
Group 3: League 1
Group 4: League 2
Group 5: Blue Square Premier
Group 6: Blue Square North and South
Group 7: Regional Premier Leagues (e.g Ryman Premier etc)
Group 8: Regional 1st Divisions (e.g Ryman 1st Divisions North and South etc)
Group 9: County Leagues (Essex Senior League etc)
Group 10: County League feeder divisions (e.g South Midland League 1st Division etc)
Group 11: General leagues.