Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County Preview & Prediction | 2026-27 English FA Cup | First Round
by Trystan Pugh ·
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Cray Wanderers host Stockport County on Sunday afternoon in a first round contest in the 2026-27 FA Cup.
Kick-off date/time:
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Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County prediction
Cray Wanderers have had to work hard to reach this stage, playing seven ties in qualifying, three of which needed replays. They drew 2-2 at Lewes before winning the replay 1-0, drew 1-1 with Maidstone United before winning 2-0 at Maidstone, beat Chippenham Town 3-0, and then edged past Bedford Town on penalties (4-3) after two draws in the fourth qualifying round. It is a landmark day for a club that claims to be among the oldest in the world, dating from 1860.
They are 18th in the Isthmian League Premier Division but won 4-1 at Brentwood Town last time out, a week after winning 2-1 at Berkhamsted in the FA Trophy. The qualifying run was built on resilience rather than dominance, and it will be tested by a Stockport side who play at an entirely different tempo.
Stockport County have a strong recent record in the competition, reaching the third round in 2024-25 (losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace) and going out on penalties to Cambridge United in round two last season. They are second in League One under Jimmy McNulty, who took over from Dave Challinor in June, having scored 26 goals in 14 league games. With four divisions between the sides, rather than the plain win we are expecting a comfortable victory by three or more.
Cray Wanderers vs Stockport County tip: Stockport to win by 3+ goals
