Page 13 - Yate Town FC v Bracknell Town FA Cup 011022

Rovers have beaten league rivals Bideford AFC, Hellenic Leaguers Royal Wootton Bassett
Town and then did cause an upset by beating Premier Division South side Gosport Borough
in the last round.
Basford United, switched from the Northern Premier League to the Premier Division Central
in the summer, have started reasonably well and are currently seventh in the table.
The Nottinghamshire side host National League North outfit Boston United – probably a few
weeks too late! The Pilgrims had a terrible start to the season, culminating in the departure
of manager Paul Cox. However, since Ian Culverhouse’s arrival, Boston have turned the
corner and have won their last four games.
Merthyr Town have started well in the Premier Division South under Paul Michael and sit in
11th spot. They have beaten rivals Truro City and Division One Central side Cirencester Town
(after a replay) in the previous rounds and now cross the Bridge to take on National League
North side Gloucester City at Balckwell Meadows. Old rivals of course, the Tigers are sitting
in 15th spot in the table, having earned a decent point away at Banbury on Tuesday.
However, they may now be a little more dangerous to play against as they have just sacked
their manager Lee Mansell!
The only Division One Central representative in the round is Robbie O’Keefe’s Biggleswade
Town. It was only last weekend that the Waders managed to win their first game in the
league - 4-1 at home to Highworth Town – but they have enjoyed wins over Thurlow Nunn
Leaguers Whitton United and Northern Premier Division One Midlands outfit Dereham Town
and then Isthmian North East Thurrock United to reach this stage.
Biggleswade travel to Essex again to take on Isthmian Premier Division side Billericay Town
at New Lodge. The Blues, relegated from the National League South last season, are
currently 12th in the table with three wins and four defeats from eight games.
Premier Division South club Hendon will fancy their chances of making progress as they
welcome Herne Bay to Silver Jubilee Park. Lee Allinson’s side may be in the bottom four but
are currently unbeaten in five matches. Bay, promoted to the Isthmian Premier after winning
the Isthmian South East play-off final last season, are bottom of the table and suffered a
recent 6-0 home drubbing by Hornchurch and their only league win came in their second
game of the season.
Three Southern League clubs face lower league opposition. Premier Division Central sides
Coalville Town and St Ives Town host AFC Sudbury and Chasetown respectively. The Ravens
head into their tie against their Isthmian North visitors in fantastic shape after hammering
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 7-0 at Hayden Road on Tuesday. However, Adam Stevens` side
need to be wary as the Suffolk side have already caused an upset by ousting National League
South side St Albans City out of the competition after a replay in the last round.
The Saints, currently eighth in the table, welcome the Northern Premier Division One
Midlands Scholars to Westwood Road. Chasetown have only won once in the league to date
but caused a big shock in the last round by knocking out famed FA Cup fighters AFC Telford
United 4-2 – and at the New Bucks Head too!
Premier Division South leaders Weston-super-Mare are currently unbeaten in league and cup
and were handed a home draw against one of the few Step 5 clubs left in the competition,
Toolstation Western League Premier Division Helston Athletic. The Cornishmen reached this
stage after beating Division One South side Bishops Cleeve.
(Source - www.souhern-football-league.co.uk)