Match Previews

Emirates FA Cup | Albion v Aldershot Town Preview

WBA and Aldershot Town badges with an image of Pipa in the home shirt on the home match preview graphic

West Bromwich Albion welcome Aldershot Town to The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup (ko 2pm).

This weekend's encounter will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs at senior level.

Albion are five-time winners of the world's most famous domestic cup competition, while visitors Aldershot, who compete in the Vanarama National League, have made it to round three for the first time in over a decade. 

The Shots have beaten Lewes and Sky Bet League Two duo Swindon Town and Stockport County already in this season's tournament, scoring 14 goals in four ties.

Albion are in FA Cup action in front of their own supporters this weekend

Follow the fixture live

Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's encounter with Aldershot.

Gez Mulholland and former Baggie Andy Johnson will provide live commentary from The Hawthorns, with coverage starting at 1.50pm.

Audio passes are available to purchase here.

Video streaming is not available for this particular fixture owing to broadcast regulations.

Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.

The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk or myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.

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The opponents

Aldershot Town will have their sights set on securing one of the biggest upsets in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup this weekend. 

The Shots of the Vanarama National League have already made it through two ties as underdogs in this season's competition against Sky Bet League Two outfits.

Sunday's visitors, who also defeated non-league Lewes 4-1 at home in the fourth qualifying round, secured an incredible 7-4 triumph at Swindon Town in round one before going on to set up the tie with the Baggies courtesy of a late, late winner at Stockport County in the second-round replay. 

The club, which was reformed in 1992, has been competing in the fifth tier of English football since suffering relegation from League Two in 2012/13, finishing 18th or lower in four of the last five campaigns in the National League.

This term though, it's a completely different story for the men from Hampshire. They've gone from fighting to stay in the division to fighting for promotion and sit just outside the play-off positions.

Tommy Widdrington has been in charge of the side since his appointment in April 2023. The 52-year-old has previously managed Salisbury City, Hemel Hempstead Town, Eastbourne Borough and Kings Lynn Town, having also spent three years at Bristol Rovers in various roles. 

Widdrington, a former midfielder, played for Southampton in the Premier League back in the 1990s before going on to represent a number of clubs such as Grimsby Town and Port Vale among others. 

The Shots have enjoyed a great run in the FA Cup so far this season

One to remember

The last time Albion were drawn at home to a team from the Vanarama National League in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup was back in January 2015. 

The Baggies came up against Gateshead, winning 7-0 in what was Tony Pulis' first official match in charge of the club.

Saido Berahino scored four goals, with Victor Anichebe, Chris Brunt and James Morrison also on target at The Hawthorns. 

Supporters can watch the highlights below.

Did you know?

Aldershot recorded a 3-2 away win at local rivals Woking in their most recent match last weekend.

Goals from Lorent Tolaj, Tyler Frost and Jack Barham kept them in touch of the Vanarama National League play-off positions.

Their opponents on New Year's Day, Woking, famously recorded one of the biggest FA Cup third-round shocks at The Hawthorns in January 1991, beating the Baggies 4-2 thanks largely to Tim Buzaglo's hat-trick. 

Sunday's showdown at the Shrine will be just the third time Aldershot Town have played in the third-round proper of the competition since the club was reformed in 1992. 

Their last appearance at this stage of the FA Cup was in 2012/13 when they were a League Two team. The Shots beat Rotherham United 3-1 at home before going on to lose in the last minute at Middlesbrough in round four. 

Albion have advanced beyond round three in six of the last nine campaigns, defeating fellow Vanarama National League outfit Chesterfield 4-0 at home in a replay in the previous campaign, that after the two sides drew 3-3 in the original tie. 

One of Aldershot's biggest rivals Woking had an FA Cup day to remember at The Hawthorns in 1991

Ticket details

Tickets for Albion’s Emirates FA Cup third-round tie against Aldershot remain on general sale - with children able to attend the game for just £1.

Seats are priced £15 Adults, £10 Seniors (65+), £10 20-25s, £10 17-19s and £1 Under-17s.

An adult disabled supporter ticket is priced £10 and includes free access for a personal assistant.

Tickets can be purchased online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Supporters buying online can download the game on to their season card, or add it to their ‘WBA Tickets On The Go’ app. You can download the app on Apple here, or Google Play here.

When buying online, supporters will need to be logged into their My Albion account linked to their ticketing ID. Click here for instructions.

Please note, Baggies fans purchasing online and opting for an e-ticket will not pay any additional fees, while supporters who opt to purchase match tickets in-person or choose to collect from the club’s ticket office will be charged a £1.75 transaction fee.

A ticket graphic displaying information for Albion Women's game against Aldershot

Pre-Match Entertainment Area

Our pre-match entertainment area will be open from 11am to supporters of both West Bromwich Albion and Aldershot Town in possession of a valid match ticket.

A variety of entertainment will be on offer, with inflatables and music provided for fans, with food and drink also available.

  • FA Cup