BBC local radio

Don't forget we've a host of live local radio commentaries to choose from this afternoon.

Look along the top of this page for your team's FA Cup tie, but be warned - not wishing to be a killjoy for the expats among you - these are all UK only.

Paul Scott
BBC Final Score

Image source, Paul Scott - BBC Sport

The pitch is perfectly playable here at the Priestfield Stadium before Gillingham v Charlton in the FA Cup second round.

Twenty years since they last met in the FA Cup when the Addicks were fourth in the Premier League. Now just one division separates the two sides.

Both are pushing for a play-off spot in their respective divisions and both will fancy their chances of being in the hat for the third-round draw.

Let's have a look at four all-EFL ties which are taking place this afternoon.

Managerless Cambridge United welcome Fleetwood Town to the Abbey Stadium for their first game since Mark Bonner was sacked following the U's 3-0 home defeat to Lincoln City on Tuesday.

League One high-flyers Oxford United are also in FA Cup action as they face fourth-tier Grimsby Town.

Both sides enjoyed a strong campaign in the competition last season, with the hosts making it to the third round where they were defeated by Arsenal, whilst the Mariners made it to the quarter-finals where they bowed out to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Stevenage were another side that endured a fantastic FA Cup campaign in 2022-23, beating Premier League side Aston Villa on their way to the fourth round.

Today they face fellow League One side Port Vale, who have enjoyed success in another domestic trophy this season, the Carabao Cup. The Valiants have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and will be hoping for a similar story in the FA Cup.

Wycombe Wanderers play host to Morecambe, with the Shrimps hoping to replicate their FA Cup heroics of the 2021-22 season when they progressed to the third round, earning a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on that occasion.

The season before, Wycombe also faced Spurs in the cup, in the fourth round. They haven't gone past the second round since, can they today?

Barnet will be hoping their league form goes out of the window as they travel to South Wales to face a Newport County side who have had a tumultuous time in recent months.

The Bees have lost four games on the bounce after having lost only two in their 18 matches prior. They will be hoping to turn their form around and progress to the third round for the first time since 2019.

Newport are looking for their third win in seven days as they begin to recover from a major injury crisis that has given boss Graham Coughlan "sleepless nights".

"It's a welcome light relief from the league campaign because I can't stress just how tough the last months have been," said Coughlan.

Despite playing in different divisions, there are only 12 league positions between the two sides and both will be keen to get their name in the hat for the third round.

Image source, Getty Images

Maidstone can make history this afternoon if they overcome League Two side Barrow to reach the FA Cup third round for the first time.

The Stones have the luxury of a home tie as their opponents face a long hike south to the Gallagher Stadium.

"Occasions like this don't come around too often," boss George Elokobi told BBC Radio Kent.

"Barrow are a fantastic team. This is a chance for us to test ourselves against EFL opposition.

"The magic of the FA Cup has a way of surprising everyone."

Barrow have had some cup journeys of their own, playing top flight opposition in the shape of Middlesbrough and Sunderland at the third round stage in recent memory.

Image source, Rex Features

Horsham will be hoping to make the most of their second chance after Barnsley's administrative error, having been reinstated following the fielding of an ineligible player.

The Hornets are at this stage of the competition for only the second time in their history, as they fly the flag for the Isthmian League as a step seven representative.

Their opponents Sutton United were once regular foes, but it is testament to the work which has gone in at Gander Green Lane that now they are a league club.

It has been a tough season for the Yellows, as they prop up the 92 at the bottom of the English Football League.

Last season's defeat by Farnborough will also be relatively fresh in the mind, as a full allocation of away fans come to the League Two strugglers with an upset in mind.

Grant McCann will be hoping to get one over his former employers as he returns to Peterborough United for the first time since he was sacked in January.

Now in charge of Doncaster Rovers, McCann's side sit 17th in League Two and have strong recent history in the competition.

Rovers have reached the third round twice in the last four seasons, and for McCann, it would make it even sweeter if he could get one over his former side.

The Posh will be keen to emulate their successes from last year's installment of the competition, where they progressed to the fifth round before defeat at the hands of eventual treble-winners, Manchester City.

The hosts will want to make sure McCann's return to the Weston-Homes Stadium is not an enjoyable one, but can Doncaster cause an upset?

Image source, Getty Images

Gone are the days when former Gillingham owner Paul Scally was having a pop at Charlton for trying to entice fans from their Kent catchment area.

That accusation of landgrab, or perhaps 'fan-grab', has often ensured there is a little hint of spice to these encounters.

The Gills under Stephen Clemence have won their past two home matches, while a little further back there will be fond memories for some fans of the time they stunned top flight Addicks in the cup back in 2004 - 'Big Mama' Sidibe among the scorers.

Goals have been something of an issue for the Gills, who have a string of ex-Charlton players such as Macauley Bonne, Jonny Williams and George Lapslie.

Charlton have the most precious commodity, a regular goalscorer, as Alfie May has been an instant hit at The Valley with 17 goals this season.

Expect him to be involved. They're unbeaten in seven under Michael Appleton.

League One table-toppers Bolton Wanderers will rightly fancy their chances against an out-of-form Harrogate Town today, but if their FA Cup form in recent years is anything to go by, I wouldn't count out a shock result in this one.

Wanderers' first-round victory against Solihull Moors saw them progress to the second round of the cup for the first time since 2019. The last time they reached the third round was in the same year.

Harrogate will be looking to put the cat amongst the pigeons as they look to progress to the third round for only the second time in the club's history.

Simon Weaver's side are winless in their past four matches in all competitions, but they did fight back to earn a point against League Two promotion hopefuls, Wrexham. Can the visitors cause Ian Evatt's side more FA Cup heartache?

In addition to the postponement duo of Alfreton and Walsall, two teams are already in the FA Cup third round draw from Friday's ties.

Wigan squeezed past plucky York thanks to Stephen Humphrys winner, the only goal of a foggy encounter.

Notts County's defending left much to be desired as they were ousted by Shrewsbury thanks to a hat-trick from Ryan Bowman.

We should have brought you coverage of National League North side Alfreton against League Two Walsall earlier, but that game was postponed only minutes before the scheduled 12:30 GMT kick-off.

Referee Sam Allison explained to BBC Radio Derby why he called the tie off.

“When we arrived at 10 o’clock this morning the covers were still down and the pitch was probably playable. The game was on," he said.

"The forecast was that it was going to get colder so we were trying to leave the covers on until at least 11.30 to give it every opportunity.

“As soon as the covers came off, half an hour later the pitch was totally different to when we had a look at it at 10-10.30.

“I got both managers together and said ‘At the moment I don’t believe the game should go ahead based on player safety'. It was like an ice rink in some areas.

“The sensible decision based on player welfare and safety was the game not being able to be played. Both managers totally agreed."

We're back, and after the earlier disappointment of Alfreton v Walsall becoming the third FA Cup tie to be postponed today, we have 10 ties for you to keep up with.

As we build up to today's 15:00 GMT FA Cup kick-offs, let's have a reminder of what fixtures we have in store.

• Bolton v Harrogate
• Cambridge v Fleetwood
• Gillingham v Charlton
• Maidstone v Barrow
• Newport v Barnet
• Oxford v Grimsby
• Peterborough v Doncaster
• Stevenage v Port Vale
• Sutton v Horsham
• Wycombe v Morecambe

Image source, Getty Images

With Alfreton v Walsall having been postponed, we are going to pause this live text for now.

It's time for some hot soup and a cup of tea. I would suggest that will be the order of the day for many!

We'll be back at 2.30pm, with (fingers very much crossed) 10 ties.

See you then!

Alfreton is the third FA Cup tie to be postponed today, to go with a frozen pitch at Gresty Road for Crewe versus Bristol Rovers and Blackpool against Forest Green because of concerns of Forest Green fielding an ineligible player in the previous round.

But here is what we do have still on later, all kicking off at 3pm.

• Bolton v Harrogate
• Cambridge v Fleetwood
• Gillingham v Charlton
• Maidstone v Barrow
• Newport v Barnet
• Oxford v Grimsby
• Peterborough v Doncaster
• Stevenage v Port Vale
• Sutton v Horsham
• Wycombe v Morecambe

Walsall manager Mat Sadler told BBC One: "As soon as I walked out here I thought the game would be off. It's rock-hard and not getting any warmer.

"I know they left it as late as possible to see if it could be played, but it looked dangerous to me.

"I think common sense has prevailed on that one. The game was never going to be played as soon as the covers came off, the goal mouths were rock hard.

"Right decision to have been called off."

Stephen Warnock
Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC One

Safety of the players is paramount, the feedback from the players and what they're telling the managers and the referees is that it's not right to play on.

It becomes dangerous. It's a real shame because we all want this game to go ahead, the fans have come out and I'm sure there's a safety aspect for all the fans getting out.

So Alfreton will be in the hat for the third round draw, but not in the way they would have wanted!

What a pity for the National League North side but their pitch is frozen and so the game is off.

James Walker
Former Walsall goalkeeper on BBC One

It's a real shame, so close to kick-off.

They did so well to get to this point, but the safety of the players, and the fans, is paramount.

The FA Cup tie has been postponed!

Dave Fletcher
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Somebody just said to (Alfreton manager) Billy Heath "Are you happy Bill?", and that was after the protective sheets had come off the pitch, and he said "Yeah, we’re happy but they don’t want to play".