Arlesey sent to Coventry (City that is)...

Dulwich Hamlet fans that chanced upon this afternoon’s draw for the First Round Proper of the FA Cup would be forgiven for suffering one of those “if only” moments upon hearing that Arlesey Town had sent to Coventry (City, that is) after the two clubs’ balls were plucked out of the velvet sack at Wembley. Southern League side Arlesey Town just edged past the Hamlet back in late September when Drew Roberts cracking strike deep into stoppage time ended Dulwich’s participation in the competition, after what appeared to be an error from the referee, such is the fickle hand of fate in football..

Since then the Bedfordshire side have overturned Blue Square North leaders, Brackley Town, in a seven-goal thriller before clinching their place in the competition proper with a single goal victory away to ambitious Southern League Division One South & West side, Didcot Town. Though Coventry won the cup in 1987, upsetting the odds with a rousing 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, their place in FA Cup folklore owes more to one of the last great acts of giant killing when they were beaten two one by Sutton United at Gander Green Lane, two years later. Arlesey must be hoping history repeats itself!

Though, of course, it's NOT a real 'if only' moment, as we would have been allocated a completely different number to the one that Arlesey were drawn as.

Fellow Isthmian League clubs that were in the hat were Hendon, who have a cracking draw against former Isthmian Leaguers Aldershot Town, now of League Two.

Hastings United go to another former Isthmian side Bishop's Stortford, who despite being the proverbial stonesthrow from London Stansted Airport, are currently in the Blue Square Bet North division!

Works side Metropolitan Police have been drawn at home, also to Football League opposition, League One Crawley Town being their guests.

Also in the draw are East Thurrock United, who could have a plum Essex derby at home to Colchester United, again from League One, if they overcome Blue Square South outfit Chelmsford City in their home replay, having drawn 2-2 on Saturday.