FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Preview & Decision

The FA Cup is probably my favourite competition, and this Saturday's second qualifying round provides an ideal opportunity for a modushopperrandom experience.  There are actually 37 ties at grounds that I have not yet visited, but I have arbitrarily removed Workington this time on the basis that I might struggle to get there in time for 3pm for practical reasons.


A random choice among 36 is perfect for two conventional cubic dice (or one die rolled twice).  In effect the ties are arranged in six groups of six.  The first die decides which group, the second decides which one within the group.  Of course, if using two dice it is essential to know which is the "first" and which is the "second", and having two different colours is an easy way to do this.


So here are my 36 possibilities, all having an equal chance to entertain me.
Note: other ties are available, but at grounds that I have already visited.

FIRST DIE	SECOND DIE	Original FA Tie #	HOME	v	AWAY
1	1	1	Frickley Athletic	v	Newcastle Benfield
1	2	2	Bamber Bridge	v	Warrington Town
1	3	3	Norton & Stockton Ancients	v	Leigh Genesis
1	4	4	New Mills	v	Harrogate Town
1	5	6	North Ferriby United	v	Stocksbridge Park Steels
1	6	7	Dunston UTS	v	Mossley AFC
2	1	8	Ashington	v	Thackley
2	2	9	Colwyn Bay	v	Guiseley AFC
2	3	13	Ashton United	v	FC Halifax Town
2	4	14	Stalybridge Celtic	v	Alfreton Town
2	5	15	Shildon	v	Skelmersdale United
2	6	16	Sheffield	v	Northwich Victoria
3	1	20	Tipton Town	v	Market Drayton Town
3	2	22	Brigg Town	v	Nuneaton Town
3	3	23	Coleshill Town	v	Lincoln United
3	4	25	Oadby Town	v	Radcliffe Olympic
3	5	26	Barwell	v	Coalville Town
3	6	27	Loughborough Dynamo	v	Redditch United
4	1	28	Stewarts & Lloyds Corby	v	Mickleover Sports
4	2	30	Carlton Town	v	Matlock Town
4	3	32	Newcastle Town	v	Wednesfield
4	4	35	Hythe Town	v	Erith & Belvedere
4	5	36	Erith Town	v	Dover Athletic
4	6	37	Bury Town	v	Grays Athletic
5	1	44	Folkestone Invicta	v	Leiston
5	2	50	North Greenford United	v	Felixstowe & Walton United
5	3	51	Needham Market	v	Chipstead
5	4	64	Hamble ASSC	v	Old Woodstock Town
5	5	66	Sholing	v	Salisbury City
5	6	69	Mangotsfield United	v	Dorchester Town
6	1	70	Paulton Rovers	v	Didcot Town
6	2	71	Bristol Manor Farm	v	Basingstoke Town
6	3	72	Sherborne Town	v	Hungerford Town
6	4	74	Poole Town	v	Thame United
6	5	76	Bishop's Cleeve	v	Woking
6	6	80	Alton Town	v	Cinderford Town

Stalybridge Celtic v Alfreton Town is the only Step 2 v Step 2 game in the list and will probably attract the biggest crowd.  Paulton Rovers of Step 4 have recent FA Cup giantkilling history and are at home to Step 3 opponents.  There is a 1 in 36 (2.8%) chance that I will be going to see Colwyn Bay continue their FA Cup run after their replay victory over Marine.  They are playing Guiseley from Step 2.  All three step 6 sides in the list have away ties, but other teams fancying their giantkilling chances will include Norton & Stockton Ancients, Tipton Town and Mangotsfield United.  They are all going well in their own leagues, with home ties against struggling sides from higher up the pyramid.


There is a 44.4% chance that I will be spending the afternoon at a Step 5 ground, and I have informed my mum that there is a 13.9% chance that I will be dropping by for tea at the ancestral home in West Bromwich.  (I'm sure that will help her to plan accordingly.)


Technology permitting, the rolling ceremony will be filmed and posted for your amusement.  In the meantime, I will savour the uncertainty.


UPDATE:

I am really looking forward to this game at a club with some recent FA Cup pedigree.  This outcome has also opened up the chance to take in Neath v Bala Town in the Welsh Premier League on Sunday afternoon.  (I must remember the 2pm kickoff!)  Weekend sorted!