City head into the welcome distraction known as the FA Cup

Lincoln City's FA Cup campaign starts with the first ever meeting between the Imps and Nuneaton Town. The Imps are now in the relegation zone in League Two following Tuesday's defeat against Northampton, whereas Nuneaton are challenging for promotion from the Blue Square North.

I love the FA Cup. During the Keith Alexander years we didn’t draw a lower-League team, so every game in the competition was a chance to test ourselves against opposition from a higher up division, but since he left it has mainly been a welcome distraction from our usual poor performances, this Saturday’s game falls firmly into the latter.

City were brought back down the Earth with a bump on Tuesday night. A 2-0 defeat against Northampton isn’t only frustrating because of the scoreline, but because of the manner of the defeat. City failed to capitalise when on top and conceded the first shot on target Northampton had, from that point onwards there was seemingly no point in staying as City went into an incredibly inept team again. All that just days after a significantly improved performance at Wycombe Wanderers.

For the third year in the row, the Imps have drawn a non-League side in the 1^st Round, but unlike the previous two years, this fixture is at home. You’d have to go back exactly ten seasons to find the last time City faced a non-League side at home in the first round, that time City comfortably beating Bracknell Town 4-0.....losing to Dagenham and Redbridge in the next round. City didn’t draw another non-League side until 2008, drawing Kettering Town in what turned out to be arguably the most controversial cup tie of the last ten years.

We certainly shouldn’t underestimate our Conference North opponents though. They are the only team to have beaten Boston United in the League this year and are heavily involved in the Playoff place. Infact, at this stage, you wouldn’t rule out Lincoln vs Nuneaton being a Blue Square Premier game next year. It’s a similar situation to last season, when League Two’s Grimsby met Blue Square South’s Bath City at this stage of the competition, Bath won the game and the fixture is now also played in the Blue Square Premier division.

Lincoln have no new suspension or injury worries, and have received a boost with the news that Millwall are allowing the club to use Ashley Grimes in the FA Cup, probably because they were unlikely to use him when they enter the competition in the third round.

City's starting line up could raise a few eyebrows and is expected to be one of two set-ups. Tilson can either keep the same team that lost timidly against Northampton and hope that they gain confidence against non-League opposition, or he could do what teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham do, and play a mainly fringe squad.

Arguably the most interesting team news will revolve around Ben Hutchinson, whom alledgely abused fans during the defeat against Northampton. The Celtic striker (and I use that term loosely) would benefit from playing against a Blue Square North team, as it would be the first time this season he'll be playing against a team whom are from the same level of football as his footballing ability.

Due to Nuneaton Town only existing since 2008, the clubs have no history between them.

The Imps and the old Nuneaton Borough did have a bit of history, meeting various times with the Imps recording some convincing victories.

However, arguably the most important connection between the two (and there aren't many) is that back when Nuneaton Town were Borough, they had a certain Simon Weaver playing for them. Weaver joined the Imps in 2002 as part of Keith Alexander's non-league legion and although it was creditted to Richard Logan, Weaver scored the first goal of Keith's second era at the club.

Weaver went on to become one of the better players of the early Keith Alexander days, scoring several goals during his time at the club an also scoring the first goal in the memorable 5-3 win over Scunthorpe in the Playoffs.

He eventually left in late 2004 for Kidderminster, following a loan spell at Macclesfield Town.

Drewe Broughton also played for Nuneaton Borough earlier on in his career.

Nuneaton Town are having a great start to the season and there are only 29 teams between the two clubs. They have picked up 10 points away from home, more than City have won at home, and are the only side to beat Boston United so far this season.

They defeated Workington in a replay to reach this stage of the competition and come into the game on the back of a 2-0 derby win over Hinckley United.

Nuneaton officials watched City's game against Northampton Town and were bouyed by City's performance, or lack there of.   “The defeat on Tuesday was not a great performance although I felt Northampton scored at the right times, both from corners," Kevin Wilkin told the Coventry Telegraph. "I did notice Lincoln get dangerous balls into the box and have two excellent wingers who certainly carry a threat."