Emirates FA Cup second-round storylines: Competition’s lowest-ranked side handed massive opportunity, Grimsby target another cup run

The men’s Emirates FA Cup returns this weekend, with the second round poised for another set of rollercoaster encounters and upsets.

Here are a few storylines worth keeping an eye on.

David versus Goliath

Brackley Town, 20th in the National League, dumped out former FA Cup winners Notts County on penalties in one of the biggest upsets of round one.

Indeed, Burton, who are 19th in the third tier, are now standing in the way of Brackley reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Grimsby Town to repeat Carabao Cup trick?

Grimsby Town have already enjoyed a famous cup run this term, with the League Two outfit having dispatched Manchester United in a marathon penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup second round.

They followed up their win by dispatching Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, before being thumped by Brentford 5-0 in the round-of-16.

Having already sampled cup success this term, Grimsby will be hoping to go deep in the FA Cup. Indeed, David Artell’s side have been handed a favourable tie against National League side Wealdstone.

FA Cup first-round highlights – Grimsby Town vs Ebbsfleet United

Video credit: TNT Sports

FA Cup’s lowest-ranked side handed massive opportunity

The lowest-ranked team in the competition, Slough Town, who sit 22nd in the National League South, have a tangible chance of making the FA Cup third round.

Scott Davies’ side face Macclesfield, who are 14th in the National League North, although they have a game in hand that could push them towards the play-off spots.

Both Step 2 sides will consider the game winnable, with the potential of a lucrative third round tie against Premier League or Championship opposition an enticing reward.

Previous winners take on Barrow

While no Premier League teams will be involved in the second round, it does not mean that previous FA Cup winners are not involved this weekend.

These days, Wigan Athletic are 11th in League One after a tricky half-decade marred by relegation and point deductions.

However, their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in 2013 remains one of the most famous moments in the competition’s modern history.

A Wigan side led by Roberto Martinez and starring Shaun Maloney, Emerson Boyce and the midfield duo of James McArthur and James McCarthy beat City 1-0, courtesy of a dramatic 91st-minute header from substitute Ben Watson.

While Wigan ended an eight-season stay in the Premier League just three days later, it was a moment that lives long in the memory of the Lactics.

This year Wigan will be expecting progression into the third round when they take on Barrow, who are 18th in League Two.