Preview: FA Cup Clash Set for Staffordshire

STONE, Staffordshire (Interstat) — A local derby with contrasting recent fortunes headlines FA Cup action Friday as Stone Alleynians host Chasetown at Wellbeing Park.

The fourth-round qualifying fixture pits a Stone side buoyed by statistical projections against a Chasetown squad mired in a poor run of form. Interstat’s ELO rating system gives the home-standing Alleynians a 60.80 percent probability to advance.

Chasetown, the visitors, arrive having failed to score in their last three matches across all competitions. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic on Jan. 10. The team’s form has been inconsistent this season, including a wild 6-4 loss to Banbury Utd in September and a pair of 1-0 losses to Shifnal Town in early September.

Stone Alleynians, meanwhile, last played a competitive match on Nov. 9, 2025, a 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Casuals. The extended break presents an unknown, potentially leaving the team either well-rested or lacking sharpness.

Despite the home side’s edge in predictive models, Interstat’s game simulator forecasts a dramatic 2-2 draw, suggesting a tightly contested match likely to be decided by which team capitalizes on limited chances.

The FA Cup, England’s historic knockout competition, offers non-league clubs like these a chance at national spotlight and a potential matchup against elite professional sides in later rounds. The winner of Friday’s tie will continue that pursuit, while the loser’s cup journey ends.

For Stone Alleynians, focus will quickly turn to league play, with a home match against Stafford Rangers scheduled for Feb. 14.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. local time at Wellbeing Park in Stone.