Emirates FA Cup Preview

Thirteen CCL clubs will be striving on Saturday to advance a further round in the FA Cup. Last season just four made it through to the 1st Qualifying Round and we would hope to do better than that this time round.

In alphabetical order of home club, Ashford Town (Middx) are rewarded for their whopping win over Wellingborough Town in the last round with a home tie against another United Counties League side, AFC Kempston Rovers from Bedfordhire, currently in 11th place in their table.

Badshot Lea, having defeated fellow CCL side Camberley Town in the previous round, have another local match, this time at home to Southern League Central Division side Fleet Town, who have yet to win a league match this season and sit 19th in the division.

Our only Division One side left in the competition, Bedfont & Feltham, will slug it out at home to Premier Division AFC Hayes and this all Middlesex tie ensures that the CCL will have at least one club in the next round. AFC Hayes, after an indifferent start in the League, got their season underway with a commendable victory in the previous round against Hellenic side Flackwell Heath, but Bedfont & Feltham are one of the favourites to win promotion from Division One this season and this will be an intriguing tie.

Bedfont Sports are at home to Southern League Central Division club Hanwell Town, in another all Middlesex tie. Hanwell lost their long serving manager last season and doubtless have a new look side, which has not impressed yet this season, currently lying in 20th place in the table.

Chertsey Town face Oxfordshire based side Kidlington, from the Hellenic League. This looks a tough match for the Curfews with Kidlington unbeaten and currently 6th in the table.

Northamptonshire side Cogenhoe United from the United Counties League will entertain Spelthorne Sports who will travel some 80 miles to get there. Cogenhoe are another United Counties League side and are currently 9th in the table.

Cove, with a much changed side this season have yet to get off the mark and face arguably the toughest tie of the lot, albeit at home, when they entertain Oxfordshire side North Leigh from the South & West Division of the Southern League. North Leigh are right at the top of their table having won all five of their opening league matches.
Down the road, Farnham Town entertain Hellenic opposition in the shape of Highworth Town and again, this looks like a tough tie with Highworth top of the Hellenic table with maximum points so far.

Hartley Wintney have exceeded all expectations so far this season and their free scoring forwards will surely relish their home tie against Southern League side Banbury United from the South & West Division. Banbury though, currently 10th, will be difficult opposition.

Rather surprisingly, the only Ryman League club playing against any of our clubs is Hythe Town from Division One South who will entertain Chessington & Hook United, newly promoted to the Premier Division. Hythe seem to be struggling at the moment, sitting in 22nd place with just two league points.

There will be an emotional tie at Shoreham after last week’s accident when they play at home to Horley Town. Both clubs have pledged £500 of their prize money, should they win, to the fund set up following the deaths of two Worthing United players in the air accident at Shoreham last Saturday. Shoreham, of course, are members of the Southern Combination (ex-Sussex League) and have only one point so far, so free scoring Horley will fancy their chances.

Finally, Thatcham Town, another member of the Hellenic League, will be at home to Guildford City. They have made a good start and are 2nd in the Hellenic table so Guildford have a tough fight on their hands in this one.

None of the ties will have extra time so if the scores are level after 90 minutes there will be a replay in midweek, on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Monday’s Bank Holiday games will be POSTPONED for any of our clubs who may be involved in such replays. Full details will be on this website and others as soon as possible after Saturday’s results are known