Each year, clubs look to make their own history, while others fight to avoid falling victim to a so-called giant-sleighing.

It is a round of the competition that usually typifies ‘the magic of the cup’, and Berhampsted felt that more than many on Saturday.

You could be forgiven for not being familiar with Berkhamsted FC, but the Comrades achieved their best-ever victory on Saturday, winning 2-1 away to Southend United to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Reaching the first round was a historic achievement for the club in itself, but to do so against the third-highest-ranked side in the competition at this stage made it all the sweeter for the club.

Berkhamsted play in the seventh tier of English football, two divisions below Saturday’s opponents, Southend, where they sit 11th, midtable, in the Southern League Premier South.

Some 12 miles from Vicarage Road, Broadwater, also known as the Glencar Community Stadium, lacks the luxury of an elite club, but more than makes up for that with its traditional feel, with a history dating back to 1919.

Before Jeffrey Sekyere’s 88th-minute winner at Roots Hall on Saturday, Berkhamsted had already won three games to even set up a tie against the Shrimpers in the first place.

They first prevailed in a five-goal thriller away to Bishop’s Stortford, courtesy of three goals in 10 minutes in the second half.

Dominant wins at home to Hendon and away to Redditch followed, before the final qualifying round on Saturday.

Speaking at Roots Hall after the game, Berkhamsted boss Chris Devane reflected on the momentous triumph for his side.

"It's pretty bonkers," he joked. "It's hard not to get emotional when it's like that and all your family are here.

"You put a lot in. It's what we planned for. I'm not going to say I expected to win, because clearly how emotional I was after the game tells you differently, but that's how we set up."

Now, Berkhamsted will enter the first round proper for the first time in their history, and could face anyone still in the competition, ranging from ninth-tier Tadley Calleva FC, to League One leaders Bradford City.

The draw will be made on Monday, 19 October, from around 6:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.