I never understand how there can be more than one bye in anything. If you have an even number of entries then they should all be in the draw for every round. The only time you can have a bye is when there is an odd number entered. Otherwise it isn't fair on the rest who have to play.
It's simple mathematics. There are 48 teams in the competition (24 north and 24 south). Each 24 needs to be brought down to 16 for a straight knockout (16 - 8 - 4 - 2 - 1). 8 teams need to be eliminated so there are 8 ties in round 1, meaning 16 take part with the remaining 8 getting a bye.
Simple mathmatics???? That looks bleddy complicated to me. Mind you, apart from the 2 that get to Wembley, do any others actually care how they do this competition. It's all crap until you have a chance of the final then everyone bucks up and it becomes important. Bit like the FA Cup for the big boys.
