2nd Round Preview

With the 2nd round only a week away, here is a preview of some of the more eye catching ties:

Fforde Grene v Sandstone
Locking horns for the third season running, are Leeds Combination outfit Fforde Grene and Sandstone from the Liverpool and District league.

The luck of the draw has handed home advantage to Fforde’s every time, although their 3-1 third round victory in 2008 was at Chester City, following two postponements at Yorkshire Amateur. Fforde’s became the first Leeds team to reach the semi finals in over 40 years that season, when they lost 3-2 to Oyster Martyrs at Guiseley.

Sandstone gained their revenge in the first round last season, when they won 3-1 at Garforth Town.

So, with each team winning 3-1 on the other’s ground, home advantage has counted for very little!! I think the score line will be closer this time and the result could well be decided by a Dominic, as both sides have in form strikers with this name.

Dominic Blair’s goals were a key factor in Fforde’s 2008/09 run, including a brace in the game against Sandstone. He was also amongst the goals in the first round win at Red Lion. Dominic Grant’s hat trick secured Sandstone’s place in the 2nd round, as they overcame fellow Scouser’s Obiter.

Kelloe WMC v Oyster Martyrs
One of the standout ties of the round, it’s a shame that these two are meeting so early in the competition.

Oyster’s don’t find the North East an easy place to visit, as they needed penalties to edge past Murton Victoria of the Peterlee & District league in 2007, before losing 3-1 at Hetton Lyons in the next round.

Although they are more comfortable at home against Durham opposition, where they have beaten former winners Coundon Conservatives and Witton Park Rose and Crown (twice).

Kelloe had to battle from 2-0 down against North Riding County Cup winners South Bank in the preliminary round, before receiving a walkover in round 1.

I think this will be a close game with Oyster just shading it.

Hanham Sunday v Lakeside Athletic
Another contender for tie of the round, this pits the strongest sides left from the South West.

2009 semi finalists Lakeside had an impressive win in Bristol in the first round, when they beat Lebeqs Tavern Courage 2-0.

Lakeside will have to nullify the threat of Hanham’s free scoring Plummer’s if they want to progress to the 3rd round. Former England U18 international Tristan Plummer scored four in the first round 11-1 demolition of Applebys from Torbay. Ex Bristol Rovers striker Niekel Plummer bagged a brace while Twaine Plummer weighed in with one.

So, Lakeside will need a watertight defence to keep Hanham’s Plummer’s redundant!!

Clumber v Magnet Tavern
Prolific striker Jaylee Hodgson is Clumber’s main goal threat. Brereton Town found him too hot to handle in their first round encounter, as Hodgson banged in 4 goals in Clumber’s 7-0 win. He was also amongst the goals for Heanor Town at the start of this season, before moving up the pyramid to Long Eaton United and then to Rainworth Miners Welfare.

Magnet Tavern are certainly coping well with the loss of their successful manager, John Chand, as they are unbeaten in 6 games this season and have scored 43 goals, whilst only conceding 4.

I think this will be a close game with the Sunday Cup know how of Magnet Tavern tipping the balance in their favour.

Hundred Acre v Blue Mugge
This all Midlands clash should be an intriguing watch, as Blue Mugge had an impressive win in the 1st round, which had Dave Hillier (manager of their opponents R.H.P. Sports and Social) stating “we were given a footballing lesson and, in all honesty, it was a pleasure to watch. It shows us what we have to aspire to in this competition in the years to come.”

The Newark Advertiser also reported that Blue Mugge fielded 5 players from Northern Premier league outfit Kidsgrove Athletic and were captained by Jimmy McCarthy, who plays in the Blue Square Premier for Altrincham.

However, Hundred Acre (if you can pardon the pun) are clearly no mugs themselves, after thrashing Barwell Sports 7-1. Top scoring with a hat-trick, was Hundred Acre’s player/coach, Paul Devlin, the former Scotland International, who made over 500 professional appearances in 14 years, most notably for Notts County, Birmingham City and Sheffield United. With 9 goals in 6 games, the 38 year old Devlin is the man Blue Mugge need to keep quiet if they are to progress.