Tuesday 25th September 2018
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE KITMANUK KNOCK OUT CUP-FIRST ROUND
Plenty of mid-week action in the League Cup to tempt you away from the soap operas on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. This competition has always thrown up a surprise or two and there are a few chances of a ‘shock’ result as Division One sides get to show off their talents against Premier Division opposition.
A very interesting tie at Cropston Road where Anstey Nomads and Oadby Town go head to head in a re-run of their F.A Cup tie. On that occasion goals from Ashley Day and Cosmos Matwasa outweighed Sam Preston’s effort for a shock result that day and a similar result could occur if Oadby aren’t on their game, but the Premier side will also see this as a chance to restore their Leicestershire pride.
Lutterworth Town make the short trip up the M1 to face Kirby Muxloe in an interesting tie. Both sides had enjoyable weekends with The Swifts winning 10-2, while Muxloe grabbed only their second win of the season at home to Wellingborough.
Rushden & Higham United had an amazing 6-1 win over Cogenhoe in the last round, but a trip to Eynesbury Rovers is not going to be a totally different experience. Rovers are in great form and come off the back of a 3-0 win at Deeping Rangers on Saturday while The Lankies were winning against slightly lesser opposition in Wollaston Victoria.
Birstall United will fancy their chances against Premier Division strugglers Rothwell Corinthians, especially with home advantage for the Leicester side. They had very different weekends with United winning 6-0 away and Corinthians losing 0-5 at home, but f course that means nothing once the whistle goes at Meadow Lane tomorrow.
Bourne Town will be reeling from Saturday’s hammering and won’t be relishing their home game with Premier Division high-flyers Pinchbeck United. Hard to see anything but an away win from this one.
Irchester United are another team enjoying a good start in Division One and they will be well-up for their local derby against neighbours Wellingborough Town. The Romans could cause a surprise in this one but The Doughboys will be set on making sure they don’t end up with red faces.
Whitworth have yet to win this season as they welcome Sileby Rangers from the division below and this is another game that you might well get better odds on an away win in the local bookies.
All Premier Division ties are Daventry Town v Desborough Town in a game that could go either way. Daventry have scored a lot of goals this season but Desborough are finding their form again of late.
Peterborough Northern Star are playing well after a poor start and should be good enough to beat struggling Boston Town at Chestnut Avenue.
Rugby Town entertain Leicester Nirvana and I expect them to gain revenge for the 2-0 defeat the visitors inflicted on Valley when they met at Hamilton Park in the league a few weeks ago.
An all Division tie at Chancery Lane where Thrapston Town host struggling Raunds Town in a local derby that should see the home side progress.
Leicestershire & Rutland F.A Senior Cup-First Round.
Aylestone Park have a home tie against Ketton who are in the lower regions of the Peterborough & District League Premier Division. The UCL tie will be favourites, but P&DL sides usually put up a real resistance in these sort of cup ties.
Lutterworth Athletic are at home to former UCL side Oakham United. Should be an interesting game but I have to favour the Atho in this one.
Melton Town face a trip to Ibstock to Face Ellistown from the Leicestershire Senior League and will be confident of progressing in this one.
Holwell Sports are a bit inconsistent but should win their local derby with Asfordby at Welby Road. The visitors are struggling at the bottom of the Leicestershire Senior League and shouldn’t pose too much of a threat to Sports.
Wednesday 26th September 2018
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE KITMANUK KNOCK OUT CUP-FIRST ROUND
Deeping Rangers travel to Huntingdon Town as odds on favourites but they must put Saturday’s home defeat to Eynesbury behind them first, although the home side are still smarting from a 0-6 home defeat against Birstall.
Sleaford Town host Lincolnshire rivals Holbeach United at Eslaforde Park in what could be an interesting tie. Sleaford have made a good start but slumped to a disappointing defeat at Harborough last time out while the Tigers hammered Rothwell Corinthians 5-0 on their own patch.
BERKS & BUCKS F.A SENIOR CUP-FIRST ROUND
Newport Pagnell Town travel to Chesham United to face the Generals groundsharers Aylesbury United. It’s been a tough start result wise for both teams and I’m sure they will be looking for a run in this competition. The Ducks are second bottom in the Southern League Central Division and will fancy their chances in this one, but The Swans are better than recent results suggest and this game should be a close one.
